REFERENCE TITLE: Taiwan; United States; trade; support

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016

HR 2002

Introduced by Representative Gray

 

A RESOLUTION

 

supporting trade between the united states and taiwan.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the Republic of China (Taiwan) is Arizona's ninth largest export market and eighth largest import market; and

Whereas, more than 56% of total exports to Taiwan, including machinery, computer and electronic products, come from Arizona's robust industries; and

Whereas, Taiwan is the tenth largest trading partner of the United States and the second largest buyer of United States agricultural products; and

Whereas, United States trade in services with Taiwan totaled $19 billion in 2012, with the United States registering a $4 billion surplus in services exports to Taiwan; and

Whereas, the two-way trade volume between the United States and Taiwan was $67.3 billion in 2014; and

Whereas, the United States has already concluded, or is seeking to negotiate, bilateral investment agreements (BIA) with nine of its top ten  trading partners, with Taiwan being the sole exception; and

Whereas, opening negotiations for a BIA between the United States and Taiwan will provide more stability for strong, two-way investment ties; and

Whereas, negotiating a BIA between the United States and Taiwan is a win-win strategy for both countries and will help to attract Taiwanese investment in Arizona; and

Whereas, Taiwan ranks as the tenth largest economy in terms of trade volume among the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies; and

Whereas, Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a multilateral free trade agreement among Asia-Pacific nations including the United States, would encourage Taiwanese firms to explore investment opportunities in the United States, including the State of Arizona, leading to the creation of quality jobs for United States workers; and

Whereas, for United States producers and exporters, Taiwan's integration into the TPP increases United States market access to Taiwan as well as to mainland China; and

Whereas, the President of the United States signed into law H.R. 1151, an act supporting Taiwan's participation as an observer in the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly on July 12, 2013; and

Whereas, the Legislature of this state also passed a concurrent resolution in support of Taiwan's international participation in both 2012 and 2014; and 

Whereas, there are more than 60,000 Taiwanese immigrants living in the State of Arizona; and

Whereas, Arizona maintains a strong economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan since establishing sister-state relations over 33 years ago and is proud to join more than 38 other states in passing resolutions supporting a United States-Taiwan BIA or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as well as Taiwan's participation in the TPP and in international organizations; and

Whereas, on January 16, 2016, Taiwan elected Dr. Tsai, Ing-wen and Dr. Chen, Chien-jen as the country's next President and Vice President, respectively.  When Dr. Tsai is inaugurated on May 20, 2016, she will become Taiwan's first female President.  This is Taiwan's third peaceful transfer of power through direct election and is a testament to the strength and vitality of Taiwan's democracy.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

1.  That the Members of the House of Representatives support the negotiation of a United States-Taiwan BIA or FTA and the participation of Taiwan in the TPP and in international organizations and applaud Taiwan's deepening democratization.

2.  That the Secretary of State transmit a copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona, the United States Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative.