Han Kuo-yu meets U.S. House speaker, seeks support for double-tax relief bill

Washington, June 26 (CNA) Taiwan's Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) headed to Capitol Hill to visit U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday, to seek support for a bill aimed at alleviating double taxation for Americans working in Taiwan and Taiwanese working in the U.S.

During the meeting, Han urged Johnson to continue supporting the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act so that it can complete the legislative process soon, further promoting bilateral investment and trade and deepening the partnership between the two sides, the Legislative Yuan said in a press release.

The bill, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 15, 2025, would provide individuals and businesses with treatment similar to tax treaty relief and solve the double taxation issue between the two economies, according to the Taiwan's Ministry of Finance.

Han was accompanied only by Taiwan's representative to the United States, Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), while the other members of the delegation did not attend, a source accompanying the delegation told CNA.

Following the visit, Han and the cross-party delegation met U.S. Department of State officials to exchange views on Taiwan-U.S. collaboration on security and drone development, said the Legislative Yuan.

They also discussed ways to help Taiwan engage more effectively in international affairs and facilitate Taiwanese investment in the United States.

Han said that Taiwan places great importance on developing its drone industry and hopes to deepen ties between Taiwan and the U.S.

The cross-party Taiwanese legislative delegation, consisting of Han and seven other lawmakers, including three from the main opposition Kuomintang, one from the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party, and three from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, arrived in the United States on Sunday.

The six-day trip began in Phoenix, Arizona, where the delegation visited TSMC's Arizona complex, before traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet U.S. lawmakers and government officials.

The delegation met seven Democratic senators on Wednesday, as they interacted with over 30 representatives at the welcoming reception hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.

They also visited White House and Department of Defense officials on Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, they took the maiden flight of EVA Air from Washington Dulles International Airport back to Taoyuan International Airport.

The new route between Taoyuan and Washington, D.C. is expected to reduce travel time by seven to eight hours, by eliminating the need for a transfer, EVA Air said.

Han said that although Taiwan and the United States are separated by roughly one-third of the Earth's circumference, they are closely connected by their shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

Han said that the route, connected directly by Taiwanese carrier EVA Air, could foster bilateral ties in many ways.