SR 109 (LSB 5695XS (5) 85)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 109

BY  JOCHUM, BLACK, and WILHELM

A Resolution reaffirming Iowa’s commitment to its relationship with Taiwan and supporting Taiwan’s efforts to participate in the international community.

   WHEREAS, the relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States is marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchange, and tourism; and
   WHEREAS, the State of Iowa’s strong relationship with Taiwan is demonstrated by its sister state and sister city relationships; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan shares with the United States and the State of Iowa the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law; and
   WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan’s third largest trading partner, Taiwan is the eleventh largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade between the two countries reached $63 billion in 2012; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Iowa have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship and anticipate continuing growth, with Taiwan ranking as Iowa’s 20th largest export destination in 2012, with over $92 million worth of Iowa goods shipped to Taiwan, including food, machinery, chemicals, miscellaneous manufactured commodities, and agricultural products; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan, seeking to contribute to greater regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region and the promotion of bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States, applauded the United States’ announcement of its intent to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the proposed 21st century trade agreement between the United States and 11 other Asia-Pacific Rim countries, and also to expand TPP membership in the future to include other countries, such as Taiwan; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan should be included in regional economic integration due to its status as an important economic power, a dynamic market economy, and leading supplier of high-tech products; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 17th largest economy, the 14th largest exporter, and the 16th largest importer in the world and also ranks as the 17th most free country in the world according to the 2014 index of economic freedom, ranking 5th out of 41 economies in the Asia-Pacific region; and
   WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade and paving the way for entering into a free trade agreement between our two nations, thereby increasing Iowa’s exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan’s absence from international organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has hampered Taiwan’s ability to participate in global climate initiatives and to respond to natural disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan which caused serious damage to the Philippines in November 2013; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan can be a valuable and constructive partner in the international response to the adverse effects of climate change and severe weather emergencies, evidenced by Taiwan’s speedy and generous response to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines with a donation of over $10 million; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate reaffirms its commitment to the strong and deepening sister city and sister state relationships between Taiwan and the State of Iowa; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure entry to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and endorses the signing of a bilateral investment treaty with the United States; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate extends its support for Taiwan’s appropriate participation in international organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, that impact the health, safety, and well-being of Taiwan.