2020 -- H 7992

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LC005239

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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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

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a most

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important bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, supported by our

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common values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and a free market economy, and our

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countries now enjoy the strongest relations ever; and

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     WHEREAS, President Tsai Ing-wen, re-elected on January 11, 2020, for a second-term in

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a direct, open, and democratic election, has worked tirelessly to uphold constitutional principles

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and civil society in Taiwan, ensure the prosperity of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people, promote

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international standing, and has expressed commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific

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region; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States, and especially Rhode Island, share a

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historically close relationship, marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural

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exchange, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2019, the United States and Taiwan celebrated the 40th Anniversary of

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the Taiwan Relations Act-TRA (Pub. L., 96-8, 22 U.S.C. 3301) enacted on April 10, 1979, “to

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help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote the foreign

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policy of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other

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relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and for other

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purposes”; and

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     WHEREAS, United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo congratulated President

 

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Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election in January and further stated that Taiwan and the United States

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are “members of the same community of democracies” and that Taiwan is a “model for the Indo-

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Pacific region and a force for good in the world”; and

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     WHEREAS, The United States Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and State

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clarified United States policy regarding Taiwan in a formal letter sent to the Governors of the 50

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States, dated September 30, 2019, that stated “expanding relations with Taiwan in areas such as

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trade, education, investment, and tourism is fully compatible with and supports U.S. policy and

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can be beneficial to your state or municipality” and further stated that “Our Departments

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encourage cooperation with Taiwan” by noting that “Taiwan is a vital U.S. partner and

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democratic success story”; and

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     WHEREAS, President Tsai Ing-wen has expressed Taiwan’s desire to reach a bilateral

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trade agreement (BTA) with the United States, and the United States Senate unanimously passed

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the “Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (TAIPEI) of 2019”

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(S.1678) on October 28, 2019, affirming that the “United States should engage in bilateral trade

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negotiations with Taiwan” and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Rhode Island

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and Taiwan regarding economic and trade exchange and cooperation that will promote bilateral

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trade; and

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     WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan’s 2nd largest trading partner, and Taiwan

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is the 10th largest trading partner of the United States, with bilateral trade in goods and services

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between the United States and Taiwan amounting to approximately $85.5 billion in 2019, and

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said trade has created or supported approximately 373,288 U.S. jobs according to the U.S.

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Department of Commerce; and

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     WHEREAS, New England exported more than $1 billion in goods to Taiwan, of which

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Rhode Island exported $31.1 million in goods, mostly in primary metal manufacturing,

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chemicals, computer and electronic products, making Taiwan Rhode Island’s 17th largest export

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market in the world and the 6th largest export market in Asia (2018); and

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      WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States seek to increase trade and investment through

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bilateral trade agreements, resulting in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan, educational

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and cultural exchange, scientific and technological interests, and tourism; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 18th largest global market and its inclusion in international

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organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly

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(WHA) in the global effort to contain, combat and prevent the spread of such viruses as the novel

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coronavirus 2019-nCoV, as well as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL),

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and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is in the best interest and safety of the

 

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international community; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub for international air travel and a large flight

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path in the Asia-Pacific remains under Taiwan’s jurisdiction. In addition, Taiwan’s inclusion in

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the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is necessary in the

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global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby seeks to further strengthen United States-Taiwan and Taiwan-

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Rhode Island trade and investment relations, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

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on trade, and encourages the Executive branch of Rhode Island State Government to further

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explore ways in which to strengthen and promote bilateral trade between Taiwan and Rhode

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Island; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby supports Taiwan’s participation

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in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, INTERPOL,

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UNFCCC and ICAO; and be it further

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     RESOLVED: That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution, to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

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the United States; the Rhode Island Delegation of the United States Congress; Governor Gina

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Raimondo; President Tsai Ing-wen, Republic of China (Taiwan); and Douglas Y.T. Hsu,

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Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston.

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