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

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

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bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, and supported by our common

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values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, that has resulted in

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our countries now enjoying strong and enduring relations; 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 8th-largest trading partner of the United States as of 2022, with United States trade in goods

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with Taiwan totaling an estimated $135.5 billion. Taiwan was the 6th-largest consumer of

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agricultural goods in 2022, totaling $4.4 billion, and a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between

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Taiwan and the United States would result in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan while

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creating more jobs for the people of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan-Rhode Island bilateral trade continues to grow. In 2022, Rhode

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Island’s total exports to Taiwan reached $55 million, a 37.5 percent increase over 2021, which

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included computer equipment, nonferrous materials excluding Alum and processing, basic

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chemicals, navigation, medical and control instruments, and electrical equipment and

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components, making Taiwan the 13th-largest export market of Rhode Island in the world. A

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Rhode Island trade office in Taiwan would further increase bilateral trade exchanges and create

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more economic benefits for the people of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, The reciprocal driver’s license agreement signed between the Rhode Island

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Division of Motor Vehicles and Taiwan has proven to be beneficial and a Memorandum of

 

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Understanding (MOU) on education exchange between Rhode Island and Taiwan would greatly

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benefit students from both our State and the Republic of China (Taiwan); and

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     WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, making its

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inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the

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International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation

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Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of the international community.

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In addition, Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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(UNFCCC) is necessary in the global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby encourages the Rhode

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Island State Government to promote and strengthen bilateral trade relations with Taiwan,

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including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and establishing a MOU

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to increase educational exchanges with Taiwan, and support for Taiwan's participation in

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

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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 this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the

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United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable Daniel

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J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Tsai Ing-wen, President, Republic of

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China (Taiwan); and Director-General Jonathan Sun of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

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in Boston.

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