On the recordOctober 3, 2017
a week from today, on October 10, the Taiwanese people will celebrate their 106th Taiwanese National Day. I would like to take a few minutes to congratulate my Taiwanese friends on this important occasion. Taiwan has long been a trusted friend of the United States and a valuable partner in the increasingly important Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan is hugely important to Oregon. It is also one of Oregon's largest trading partners and a big export market for Oregon products like grain. Portland's annual Grand Floral Parade and Rose Festival host delegations from Taiwan. Portland, OR, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, are sister cities. These ties are both broad and deep, as I saw myself when I visited Taipei several years ago. That was more than a year before Taiwan's historic 2016 election, but the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy was already very much on display. Because our people share values like freedom, respect for human dignity, and entrepreneurship, I am honored today to reaffirm the U.S.- Taiwan relationship. I wish my friends, the Taiwanese people, a wonderful 106th National Day and a fortuitous year ahead.





