| R 216 |
| 2024 -- S 2981 Enacted 04/11/2024 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND TAIWAN WHILE SUPPORTING ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY |
Introduced By: Senators Cano, Picard, Ujifusa, E Morgan, F. Lombardi, Rogers, DeLuca, LaMountain, Britto, and Lawson |
| Date Introduced: April 11, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a robust |
| bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership supported by our common |
| values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, that has resulted in |
| our countries now enjoying strong and enduring relations; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd-largest trading partner, and Taiwan |
| is the 8th-largest trading partner of the United States as of 2023, with United States trade in goods |
| with Taiwan totaling an estimated $127.4 billion. Taiwan was the 7th-largest consumer of |
| agricultural goods in 2023, totaling $3.7 billion, and a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between |
| Taiwan and the United States would result in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan while |
| creating more jobs for the people of Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, The adoption of an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation |
| (ADTA) and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income between the |
| United States and Taiwan is currently under discussion in Washington and Taipei. The United |
| States has similar treaties with nations around the world, many of which do not enjoy as robust a |
| trading relationship with the US as Taiwan. Negotiating and concluding a tax agreement with |
| Taiwan could: facilitate US-Taiwan economic cooperation; strengthen US-Taiwan strategic |
| relations; and encourage other nations to increase their economic ties to Taiwan. The conclusion |
| of a US-Taiwan ADTA would remove tax barriers and create a sustainable environment for cross- |
| border investment and economic cooperation, and would foster greater investment by Taiwanese |
| industries in the US, creating jobs for Americans and securing supply chains for vital products, |
| including, but not limited to, semiconductors; and |
| WHEREAS, The year 2024 marks the 45th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act |
| (TRA), Public Law 96-8 of the 96th Congress, which has acted as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan |
| relations to help maintain peace, security, prosperity and stability in the Western Pacific and to |
| promote foreign policy relations by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, |
| educational and other interactions between the people of the United States and the people of |
| Taiwan; and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan-Rhode Island bilateral trade continues to grow. In 2023, Rhode |
| Island's total exports to Taiwan reached $58 million, which included computer equipment, metal |
| processing products, basic chemicals, medical equipment, electrical equipment and components, |
| making Taiwan the 10th-largest export market for Rhode Island in the world. A Rhode Island |
| trade office in Taiwan would further increase bilateral trade exchanges and create more economic |
| benefits for the people of Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island and Taiwan have mutually established a reciprocal driver's |
| license and enhanced a higher education exchange, and Rhode Island would welcome the |
| opportunity for even closer educational cooperation with Taiwan, such as signing a Memorandum |
| of Understanding regarding a K-12 education exchange; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island recognizes Taiwan's contribution to a broad range of global |
| issues, including Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health |
| Organization (WHO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the |
| International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention |
| on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is important for the best interest and safety of the |
| international community; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates Taiwan |
| on the election of Dr. Lai Ching-te as President and Hsaio Bi-khim as Vice President with their |
| inauguration being celebrated and commemorated on May 20, 2024, and encourages Rhode |
| Island's Executive Branch and Legislative Branch to promote and strengthen bilateral trade |
| relations with Taiwan, including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and |
| establishing an MOU to increase K-12 educational exchanges with Taiwan; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby supports Taiwan's participation in international |
| organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, INTERPOL, UNFCCC, and ICAO, |
| while also supporting efforts to adopt a taxation agreement (ADTA) between the U.S. and |
| Taiwan; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the |
| United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable Daniel |
| J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Tsai Ing-wen, President, Republic of |
| China (Taiwan); and Director-General Charles Liao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office |
| in Boston. |
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| LC005777 |
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