THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

45

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH TAIWAN.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the statistics on trade between the United States and Taiwan are impressive; and

 

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the United States' eighth largest trading partner, tenth largest export market, and fifth largest farm products market; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2005, trade flow between the United States and Taiwan totaled $56,900,000,000, and cumulative United States investment in Taiwan amounted to $14,100,000,000; and

 

WHEREAS, Taiwan has been actively seeking a bilateral free trade agreement with the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, such an agreement may provide more opportunities for United States companies to invest in and export to Taiwan; and

 

WHEREAS, United States consumers may also benefit from Taiwan products; and

 

WHEREAS, Taiwan is already a member of the World Trade Organization and a party to many economic and trade agreements with various countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, a free trade agreement may enable the United States to indirectly facilitate the participation of Taiwan in multilateral Asian trade agreements; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the President of the United States is strongly urged to seriously consider entering into a free trade agreement with Taiwan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the United States is requested to undertake negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement in a manner that respects the interests of all countries in the East Asian region; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Taiwan; Free Trade Agreement