Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey is ramping up diplomatic support for Taiwan.
Some leaders make the argument a trade agreement with Taiwan is key to stemming China’s hostile behavior. Half of Taiwan’s trade and 80 percent of its investment is with China or Hong Kong.
Officials say that strengthening U.S. trade ties would benefit both sides in security and economic growth.
Senator Toomey says any agreement would be based on maximizing free trade in goods and services: “I intend to introduce this week, a Senate resolution in support of a U.S./Taiwan free trade agreement, and again, the deal should be comprehensive. It should include everything like manufacturing, services, technology, agriculture.”
Fifty Senators signed a letter to the Trump Administration urging a bilateral deal with Taiwan.