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Bill

S 1117

Taiwan

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Alexander

South Carolina formally commends and promotes ongoing U.S.-Taiwan cooperation across trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange, highlighting shared values and regional pa

Introduced and adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1117

Summary of Bill S 1117 (2025-2026) – South Carolina

Type and Purpose

  • Type: Senate Resolution
  • Sponsor: Primary sponsor not listed; co-sponsor: Thomas Alexander
  • Subject: Taiwan
  • Status: Introduced and adopted (April 14, 2026)
  • What it does: Official commendation by the South Carolina Senate of Taiwan’s relations with the United States and with the State of South Carolina. Encourages continued engagement and collaboration across diplomatic, economic, educational, and cultural domains.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize and celebrate the longstanding partnership between Taiwan, the United States, and South Carolina.
  • Highlight shared democratic values, rule of law, human rights, and a rules-based international order.
  • Promote ongoing engagement and collaboration through dialogue, trade initiatives, educational exchanges, and cultural ties.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Diplomatic and Economic Emphasis:
    • Calls for continued talks under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.
    • Encourages a U.S.-Taiwan double taxation avoidance mechanism to facilitate investment by Taiwanese companies in the United States.
    • Supports organizing trade delegations to Taiwan to attract additional investments.
  • Trade and Economic References:
    • Acknowledges Taiwan as a key trading partner and notes bilateral trade-in-goods value (contextual figure: over $108 billion) and the U.S. as a significant partner for Taiwan.
    • Notes the first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative addressing anti-corruption, regulatory practices, customs administration, trade facilitation, and SME promotion.
  • Defense and Industry Mention:
    • Highlights that F-16 fighter jets procured by Taiwan are manufactured in Greenville, SC, with the F-16 Block 70 program associated with local job impacts (approximately 46,000 local jobs referenced in the resolution context).
  • Cultural and Educational Exchange:
    • Encourages expansion of exchanges among scholars, teachers, and students under the education cooperation MOU between South Carolina and Taiwan.
    • Supports participation in Taiwanese American Heritage Week and other activities promoting Taiwan’s culture, tourism, and cuisine.
  • Legislative and Intergovernmental Engagement:
    • Supports the Taiwan Caucus as a platform for exploring collaborative opportunities.
    • Encourages state executives and officials to engage with Taiwanese counterparts to deepen substantive relations on issues of mutual state interest.

Affected Parties

  • Primary Audience: Taiwan and its relationship with the United States and South Carolina.
  • State-Level Impacts: South Carolina state government and public institutions, particularly in areas of:
    • Diplomacy and international relations
    • Trade and economic development
    • Education and cultural exchange
    • Local manufacturing and defense-related employment (notably F-16 components and related supply chains)
  • Non-Governmental/Private Sector: Taiwanese and U.S. businesses engaging in trade and investment in South Carolina; educational and cultural organizations; Taiwanese American communities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date/Timeline: As a resolution, it becomes official upon adoption by the South Carolina Senate. No substantive budgetary or statutory changes are enacted.
  • Action History: Introduced and adopted on April 14, 2026.
  • Documentation: Acknowledges sharing a copy of the resolution with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (Taiwan’s representative office in the region).

Plain-Language Takeaways

  • This is a formal ceremonial resolution applauding Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S. and South Carolina.
  • It endorses ongoing and enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.
  • It explicitly notes Taiwan’s role as a significant trade partner, the U.S.-Taiwan trade initiatives, and existing collaborations (including defense-related manufacturing in Greenville, SC).
  • It invites further dialogue and exchanges and supports Taiwanese participation in international platforms and frameworks.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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