| R 178 |
| 2020 -- H 7992 Enacted 03/11/2020 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND TAIWAN, ENHANCING BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS AND SUPPORTING TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY |
| Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Abney, and Filippi |
| Date Introduced: March 11, 2020 |
| WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a most |
| important bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, supported by our |
| common values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and a free market economy, and our |
| countries now enjoy the strongest relations ever; and |
| WHEREAS, President Tsai Ing-wen, re-elected on January 11, 2020, for a second-term in |
| a direct, open, and democratic election, has worked tirelessly to uphold constitutional principles |
| and civil society in Taiwan, ensure the prosperity of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people, promote |
| international standing, and has expressed commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific |
| region; and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States, and especially Rhode Island, share a |
| historically close relationship, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural |
| exchange, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and |
| WHEREAS, In 2019, the United States and Taiwan celebrated the 40th Anniversary of |
| the Taiwan Relations Act-TRA (Pub. L., 96-8, 22 U.S.C. 3301) enacted on April 10, 1979, “to |
| help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote the foreign |
| policy of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other |
| relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and for other |
| purposes”; and |
| WHEREAS, United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo congratulated President |
| Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election in January and further stated that Taiwan and the United States |
| are “members of the same community of democracies” and that Taiwan is a “model for the Indo- |
| Pacific region and a force for good in the world”; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and State |
| clarified United States policy regarding Taiwan in a formal letter sent to the Governors of the 50 |
| States, dated September 30, 2019, that stated “expanding relations with Taiwan in areas such as |
| trade, education, investment, and tourism is fully compatible with and supports U.S. policy and |
| can be beneficial to your state or municipality” and further stated that “Our Departments |
| encourage cooperation with Taiwan” by noting that “Taiwan is a vital U.S. partner and |
| democratic success story”; and |
| WHEREAS, President Tsai Ing-wen has expressed Taiwan’s desire to reach a bilateral |
| trade agreement (BTA) with the United States, and the United States Senate unanimously passed |
| the “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (TAIPEI) of 2019” |
| (S.1678) on October 28, 2019, affirming that the “United States should engage in bilateral trade |
| negotiations with Taiwan” and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Rhode Island |
| and Taiwan regarding economic and trade exchange and cooperation that will promote bilateral |
| trade; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan’s 2nd largest trading partner, and Taiwan |
| is the 10th largest trading partner of the United States, with bilateral trade in goods and services |
| between the United States and Taiwan amounting to approximately $85.5 billion in 2019, and |
| said trade has created or supported approximately 373,288 U.S. jobs according to the U.S. |
| Department of Commerce; and |
| WHEREAS, New England exported more than $1 billion in goods to Taiwan, of which |
| Rhode Island exported $31.1 million in goods, mostly in primary metal manufacturing, |
| chemicals, computer and electronic products, making Taiwan Rhode Island’s 17th largest export |
| market in the world and the 6th largest export market in Asia (2018); and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States seek to increase trade and investment through |
| bilateral trade agreements, resulting in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan, educational |
| and cultural exchange, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 18th largest global market and its inclusion in international |
| organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly |
| (WHA) in the global effort to contain, combat and prevent the spread of such viruses as the novel |
| coronavirus 2019-nCoV, as well as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), |
| and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is in the best interest and safety of the |
| international community; and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub for international air travel and a large flight |
| path in the Asia-Pacific remains under Taiwan’s jurisdiction. In addition, Taiwan’s inclusion in |
| the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is necessary in the |
| global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
| Providence Plantations hereby seeks to further strengthen United States-Taiwan and Taiwan- |
| Rhode Island trade and investment relations, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) |
| on trade, and encourages the Executive branch of Rhode Island State Government to further |
| explore ways in which to strengthen and promote bilateral trade between Taiwan and Rhode |
| Island; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby supports Taiwan’s participation |
| in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, INTERPOL, |
| UNFCCC and ICAO; 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 Donald J. Trump, President of |
| the United States; the Rhode Island Delegation of the United States Congress; Governor Gina |
| Raimondo; President Tsai Ing-wen, Republic of China (Taiwan); and Douglas Y.T. Hsu, |
| Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. |
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| LC005239 |
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