Senate Resolution 106 - Introduced SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 106 BY NUNN and BOULTON A Resolution honoring the nation of Taiwan. 1 WHEREAS, the state of Iowa established a 2 sister-state relationship with Taiwan in 1989, and 3 Iowa and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade, 4 educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism; and 5 WHEREAS, on November 5, 2021, the Senate and House 6 of Representatives established the Iowa Statehouse 7 Taiwan Friendship Caucus, with bipartisan support, 8 the fourth such caucus established in midwestern 9 states; and 10 WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, 11 democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and 12 prosperity with the United States and Iowa; and 13 WHEREAS, the United States ranks as the second 14 largest trading partner of Taiwan, and Taiwan is the 15 eighth largest trading partner of the United States, 16 and bilateral trade reached more than $856 billion in 17 2021; and 18 WHEREAS, Taiwan and Iowa have enjoyed a long and 19 mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of 20 future growth, and Taiwan was the fourth largest export 21 market in Asia in 2020; and 22 WHEREAS, to strengthen the Taiwan-Iowa bilateral 23 economic relationship, it is essential to support Iowa 24 businesses and to enhance economic engagement with 25 Taiwan based on the federal Taiwan Relations Act; and 26 WHEREAS, as the federal Taiwan Relations Act 27 stipulates that “[w]henever the laws of the United 28 -1- LSB 6233SS (4) 89 jm/rn 1/ 3
S.R. 106 States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, 1 states, governments, or similar entities, such terms 2 shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to 3 Taiwan”, it is legitimate for Iowa businesses to refer 4 to Taiwan as “Taiwan” in conducting their business ties 5 with Taiwan; 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 countries, thereby increasing Iowa’s 10 exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and 11 technical collaboration through tariff reduction and 12 other trade facilitation measures; and 13 WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of 14 “steadfast diplomacy” in international relations, 15 and Taiwan is capable of and willing to fulfill its 16 responsibilities and to collaborate with the world 17 to deal with such challenges as humanitarian aid and 18 disease control; NOW THEREFORE, 19 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 20 reaffirms its commitment to strengthening and deepening 21 ties with Taiwan; and 22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate reaffirms 23 support for the federal Taiwan Relations Act and 24 encourages Iowa businesses to make reference to 25 “Taiwan” when engaged in business relations; and 26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate endorses the 27 efforts of Taiwan to secure the signing of a bilateral 28 trade agreement with the United States, and reiterates 29 support for a closer economic and trade partnership 30 -2- LSB 6233SS (4) 89 jm/rn 2/ 3
S.R. 106 between Iowa and Taiwan; and 1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate shall 2 continue to support the meaningful participation of 3 Taiwan in international organizations which impact 4 the health, safety, and well-being of the people of 5 Taiwan, and supports Taiwan’s aspiration to make more 6 contributions internationally. 7 -3- LSB 6233SS (4) 89 jm/rn 3/ 3