U.S. lawmaker Kim urges Washington to support Taiwan's IMF membership

Taipei, Sept. 17 (CNA) United States Representative Young Kim on Tuesday urged Washington to support Taiwan's admission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and encourage Taipei to apply as soon as possible.

Kim, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, raised the issue with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday.

The California Republican asked Bessent about implementation of the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act, enacted last year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

"This legislation directs the IMF representative to use the U.S. voice and vote to support Taiwan's membership in the IMF," Kim said.

The IMF, a United Nations specialized agency, promotes global monetary cooperation and financial stability and facilitates international trade.

Kim, who led a bipartisan delegation of House representatives on a trip to Taiwan earlier this year, said the lawmakers had discussed the issue with Taiwanese officials during the visit.

"As they [Taiwanese officials] get ready to formally submit a request to join the IMF, I hope the U.S. will use our voice to support their petition to join, or encourage them to do so as soon as possible," she said.

In response, Bessent said, "We're aware of your bill," referring to the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025.

The Act, which was sponsored by Kim and Democratic Rep. Al Green, directs the U.S. officials at the Treasury and IMF to advocate for Taiwan's membership, its participation in IMF surveillance, access to technical assistance and training, and employment opportunities for Taiwanese nationals.

When asked Thursday about Kim's latest advocacy, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it wished to thank her and the U.S. Congress for supporting Taiwan's IMF membership.

"The ministry has been studying the matter with relevant government agencies and will broadly seek the views of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and like-minded countries, including the United States, before formulating a concrete and feasible plan," MOFA told CNA.

Any progress would be announced at an appropriate time, the ministry added.

The Republic of China (ROC), which now refers only to Taiwan, was a founding member of the IMF and represented all of China from 1945 to 1980.

In 1980, the IMF transferred the seat to the People's Republic of China (PRC), nine years after the United Nations made a similar decision, ending Taiwan's formal representation.