Senate Resolution 111 - Introduced SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 111 BY SCHNEIDER , BEHN , DOTZLER , GARRETT , HART , and KAPUCIAN A Resolution in support of strengthening and deepening 1 the relationship between Taiwan and the State of 2 Iowa. 3 WHEREAS, the State of Iowa is proud of the 4 sister-state relationship it has enjoyed with Taiwan 5 since 1989, which is marked by strong bilateral trade, 6 educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism; and 7 WHEREAS, Taiwan shares with the United States 8 and the State of Iowa the common values of freedom, 9 democracy, and human rights, and a commitment to the 10 rule of law; and 11 WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan’s 12 second-largest trading partner, and Taiwan is the 13 United States’ 10th largest trading partner, with total 14 bilateral trade reaching $68.2 billion in 2017; and 15 WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Iowa have enjoyed 16 a long and mutually beneficial relationship and 17 anticipate continuing growth, with Taiwan ranking 18 as Iowa’s 5th largest export destination in Asia 19 in 2017, with $171 million worth of Iowa goods 20 shipped to Taiwan, including food, machinery, 21 chemicals, miscellaneous manufactured commodities, and 22 agricultural products; and 23 WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral trade 24 agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an 25 important step toward further strengthening bilateral 26 trade between the State of Iowa and Taiwan, thereby 27 -1- LSB 6215XS (5) 87 gh/rn 1/ 2
S.R. 111 increasing Iowa’s exports to Taiwan and creating 1 bilateral investment and technical collaboration 2 through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation 3 measures; and 4 WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of 5 “steadfast diplomacy” regarding international 6 relations and is capable of and willing to fulfill its 7 responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to 8 deal with the challenges of humanitarian aid, disease 9 control, and other important issues; NOW THEREFORE, 10 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 11 reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the 12 sister-state relationship between Taiwan and the 13 State of Iowa; endorses Taiwan’s efforts to secure the 14 signing of a bilateral trade agreement with the United 15 States; and reaffirms support for increasing Taiwan’s 16 international profile; and 17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of 18 the Senate is hereby directed to send copies of this 19 Resolution to the members of Iowa’s congressional 20 delegation and to the Taipei Economic and Cultural 21 Office in Chicago, Illinois. 22 -2- LSB 6215XS (5) 87 gh/rn 2/ 2