THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	53
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

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 a continuing economic growth for Taiwan, which is in the best interest of the United States internationally; and

     WHEREAS, in 2006, thirty-five state houses or senates or  both, in twenty-three 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 the United States and each member of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Taiwan Free Trade Agreement