Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 - Introduced SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 BY NUNN , EDLER , KAPUCIAN , JOHNSON , DOTZLER , KINNEY , and BEHN A Concurrent Resolution in support of strengthening and 1 deepening the relationship between Taiwan and the 2 State of 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 third-largest importer, and Taiwan is the United 13 States’ 15th largest export destination, making Taiwan 14 the United States’ 11th largest trading partner, with 15 total bilateral trade reaching $68.8 billion as of 16 November 2018; and 17 WHEREAS, the United States Congress passed the 18 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close 19 bilateral relationship between the United States and 20 Taiwan, as well as to advance mutual security and 21 commercial interests, and the TRA has served as the 22 cornerstone of U.S.- Taiwan relations and has helped to 23 preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; and 24 WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Iowa have enjoyed 25 a long and mutually beneficial relationship and 26 anticipate continuing growth, with Taiwan ranking 27 -1- LSB 2782XS (2) 88 kh/rn 1/ 3
S.C.R. 11 as Iowa’s 6th largest export destination in Asia as 1 of November 2018, with $193.9 million worth of Iowa 2 goods shipped to Taiwan, including meat, soybeans, and 3 animal feeds; agricultural chemicals; and miscellaneous 4 manufactured commodities, including precision 5 instruments and avionics; and 6 WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral trade 7 agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an 8 important step toward further strengthening bilateral 9 trade between the State of Iowa and Taiwan, thereby 10 increasing Iowa’s exports to Taiwan and creating 11 investment and technical collaboration through tariff 12 reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and 13 WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of 14 “steadfast diplomacy” regarding international 15 relations and is capable of and willing to fulfill its 16 responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to 17 deal with the challenges of humanitarian aid, disease 18 control, and other important issues; NOW THEREFORE, 19 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF 20 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That the Iowa General 21 Assembly memorializes the 30th anniversary of the 22 Iowa-Taiwan sister-state relationship and the 40th 23 anniversary of the United States Congress’s enactment 24 of the Taiwan Relations Act; reaffirms its commitment 25 to strengthening the sister-state relationship between 26 Taiwan and the State of Iowa; endorses Taiwan’s efforts 27 to secure a favorable trade relationship with the 28 United States; and reaffirms support for increasing 29 Taiwan’s international profile; and 30 -2- LSB 2782XS (2) 88 kh/rn 2/ 3
S.C.R. 11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of 1 the Senate is hereby directed to send copies of this 2 Resolution to the members of Iowa’s congressional 3 delegation and to the Taipei Economic and Cultural 4 Office in Chicago, Illinois. 5 -3- LSB 2782XS (2) 88 kh/rn 3/ 3