THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

53

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

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

 

 


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

 

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

 

     WHEREAS, in 2006, the trade flow between the United States and Taiwan totaled $61,200,000,000, and the cumulative United States investment in Taiwan amounted to $15,000,000,000; and

 

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

 

     WHEREAS, a free trade 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 products made in Taiwan; and

 

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

 

     WHEREAS, the United States concluded a free trade agreement with South Korea on April 2, 2007; and

 

     WHEREAS, the structure of Taiwan's and South Korea's exports to the United States are very similar, with both consisting primarily of manufactured goods; and


     WHEREAS, the United States' free trade agreement with South Korea creates a trade disparity in that it will have a very negative impact upon Taiwan's economy, resulting in a substantial weakening of the United States' competitiveness in the international market; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is urgent that Taiwan be on the same competitive footing in the United States market as South Korea in order to sustain continuing economic growth for Taiwan, which is in the best interest of the United States internationally; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2006, 35 state houses or senates or both, in 23 states, passed resolutions to express support of a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan; and

 

     WHEREAS, a free trade agreement with Taiwan 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 urged to enter into a free trade agreement with Taiwan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the United States is requested to undertake negotiations for a free trade agreement with Taiwan 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 Taiwan, President of the United States, and each member of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

Report Title: 

Taiwan Free Trade Agreement