2023 -- S 1123

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LC003004

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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S E N A T 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: Senators Cano, Pearson, Lombardo, and Picard

     Date Introduced: June 14, 2023

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     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 Senate 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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