Odd Ball SCR1025 - 542R - S Ver of SCR1025

Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2020

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1025

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

supporting a closer trade partnership between the united states and taiwan and supporting taiwan's participation in international organizations.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, the trade in goods and services between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) totaled an estimated $94.5 billion in 2018. With $40.3 billion in exports and $54.2 billion in imports, Taiwan is the eleventh largest trading partner with the United States, supporting more than 373,000 jobs in the United States; and

Whereas, Taiwan was Arizona's twelfth largest export market in 2018, reaching $505 million in exports to Taiwan originating from Arizona. In total, 5,895 jobs in Arizona are supported by Taiwanese-affiliated companies and the exports of goods and services to Taiwan; and

Whereas, the signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan would foster a more open and fair trade environment and create greater export and investment opportunities between markets, stimulating mutual economic growth and significantly increasing jobs for both countries; and

Whereas, Arizona has maintained a strong economic and cultural relationship with Taiwan since establishing sister-state relations in 1980, and the Arizona Legislature has passed resolutions supporting the U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Agreement; and

Whereas, on March 16, 2018, the President of the United States signed into law the Taiwan Travel Act, which allows officials at all levels of the federal government to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts and allows high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under conditions that demonstrate appropriate respect to such officials; and

Whereas, on March 28, 2019, the Arizona Legislature passed a resolution supporting a future official visit to Taiwan by the Governor of Arizona at his discretion; and

Whereas, on July 12, 2013, 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 (ICAO). On March 18, 2016, the President of the United States signed into Law S. 2426, an act directing the United States Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); and

Whereas, the Arizona Legislature passed resolutions supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including INTERPOL, and in United Nations-specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization, the ICAO and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1. That the Members of the Legislature support the negotiation of a United States-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement and Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.

2. That the Members of the Legislature acknowledge 40 years of achievements made by the United States and Taiwan in the fields of economy, trade, technology, education and culture since the establishment of their sister-state relations and encourage continued bilateral cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the future, including the reestablishment of the trade office of Arizona in Taiwan and the signing of the memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation and trade relations between Arizona and Taiwan.

3. That the Members of the Legislature support a future official visit to Taiwan by the Governor of Arizona at his discretion.

4. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Arizona, the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the United States Trade Representative and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.