Senate Resolution 136 - Introduced PAG LIN 1 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. ___ 1 2 BY BEALL, BLACK, KIBBIE, McCOY, BOETTGER, 1 3 BEHN, BOLKCOM, CONNOLLY, and IVERSON 1 4 A Resolution supporting a free trade agreement between 1 5 the Republic of China on Taiwan and the United States. 1 6 WHEREAS, the Republic of China on Taiwan and the 1 7 United States enjoy one of the most important economic 1 8 and strategic international relationships that exists 1 9 today; and 1 10 WHEREAS, together, Taiwan and the United States 1 11 promote a shared belief in freedom, democracy, and 1 12 market principles; and 1 13 WHEREAS, the level of mutual investment between 1 14 Taiwan and the United States is substantial; and 1 15 WHEREAS, streamlined foreign investment procedures 1 16 developed under a free trade agreement between Taiwan 1 17 and the United States would create new business 1 18 opportunities and new jobs; and 1 19 WHEREAS, a free trade agreement between Taiwan and 1 20 the United States would encourage greater innovations 1 21 and manufacturing efficiencies by stimulating joint 1 22 technological development, practical applications, and 1 23 new cooperative ventures; and 1 24 WHEREAS, a recent study by the United States 1 25 International Trade Commission supports the 1 26 negotiation of a free trade agreement between Taiwan 1 27 and the United States; and 1 28 WHEREAS, a free trade agreement between Taiwan and 1 29 the United States would build on the existing strong 1 30 relations between Taiwan and the United States to 2 1 simultaneously boost Taiwan's security and democracy 2 2 and serve the broader interests of the United States 2 3 in the Asia=Pacific region; NOW THEREFORE, 2 4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 2 5 supports the negotiation of a free trade agreement 2 6 between the Republic of China on Taiwan and the United 2 7 States of America; and 2 8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That upon adoption, an 2 9 official copy of this Resolution be prepared and 2 10 presented to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office 2 11 located in Chicago, Illinois. 2 12 LSB 6389SS 81 2 13 jr:rj/gg/14 1