Assemblyman Andrew Raia Returns From Cultural Exchange Trip to Taiwan

• Assemblyman Andrew Raia presents a small gift from his Assembly District to Mr. Douglas Y.T. Hsu, Deputy Director General, Department of North American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

            Recently, Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C-East Northport) returned to the U.S. after a week-long cultural exchange trip to Taiwan. As part of the U.S. Northeastern State Legislature Delegation, Raia joined colleagues in the New York State Legislature, and State Legislators from Connecticut and New Jersey respectively. While in Taiwan, Raia met with legislative leaders of the Taiwanese government, visited various manufacturing plants, and met with several governmental departments.

            As the only Republican representative in the American delegation, Raia was involved in several discussions with Taiwanese officials about President-elect Trump’s victory. The concerns centered on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which hangs in the balance, and how relations between Taiwan and the U.S. would change.

            “There was a lot of concern from members of the Taiwanese government over how President-elect Trump would handle the relationship between Taiwan, China and the U.S.,” said Raia. “The U.S. is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner, so tension and fear are at an all-time high in anticipation of the Trump presidency.”

            When asked how he thought things will be different with Donald Trump as Commander-in-Chief, Raia’s notion of the President-elect reaching out to the Taiwanese government was correct. Given the recent news, Raia’s insight and experience allowed him to accurately predict a U.S. diplomatic move that hasn’t been done since 1979.

            “The President-elect has his own way of doing business,” said Raia. “He ran on a campaign of putting Americans first, and I don’t think he has a fear of snubbing another nation if it’s for the betterment of the U.S.”