| R 269 |
| 2023 -- H 6322 Enacted 04/25/2023 |
| H O U S 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: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Edwards, McNamara, Diaz, Kazarian, Chippendale, Fenton-Fung, and Azzinaro |
| Date Introduced: April 25, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a robust |
| bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, and 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 2022, with United States trade in goods |
| with Taiwan totaling an estimated $135.5 billion. Taiwan was the 6th-largest consumer of |
| agricultural goods in 2022, totaling $4.4 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, Taiwan-Rhode Island bilateral trade continues to grow. In 2022, Rhode |
| Island’s total exports to Taiwan reached $55 million, a 37.5 percent increase over 2021, which |
| included computer equipment, nonferrous materials excluding Alum and processing, basic |
| chemicals, navigation, medical and control instruments, and electrical equipment and |
| components, making Taiwan the 13th-largest export market of 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, The reciprocal driver’s license agreement signed between the Rhode Island |
| Division of Motor Vehicles and Taiwan has proven to be beneficial and a Memorandum of |
| Understanding (MOU) on education exchange between Rhode Island and Taiwan would greatly |
| benefit students from both our State and the Republic of China (Taiwan); and |
| WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, making its |
| inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the |
| International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation |
| Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of the international community. |
| 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 hereby |
| encourages the Rhode Island State Government to promote and strengthen bilateral trade relations |
| with Taiwan, including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and |
| establishing a MOU to increase educational exchanges with Taiwan, and support for 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 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 Jonathan Sun of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office |
| in Boston. |
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| LC002811 |
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