SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 40

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

5628L.01I

      Whereas, Taiwan and the United States enjoy one of the most important economic and strategic international relationships; and

            Whereas, together, Taiwan and the United States promote a shared faith and respect for freedom, democracy, and free market principles; and

            Whereas, Taiwan and the United States have worked hand-in-hand to preserve peace and stability within the Asia-Pacific region and to help improve the lives of their citizens and people around the world; and

            Whereas, trade between Taiwan and the United States has increased significantly during the past decades, with the United States being Taiwan's second-largest source of imports and Taiwan being the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States; and

            Whereas, Taiwan is a major trading partner with the United States and also an important overseas market for United States agricultural products, and given the remarkable economic performance of Taiwan and the strong purchasing power of its 23 million people, there are plenty of opportunities to further expand bilateral trade between the United States and Taiwan; and

            Whereas, streamlined foreign investment procedures developed under a Taiwan-United States free trade agreement would lead to further investment by firms in both Taiwan and the United States and would create new business opportunities and new jobs; and

            Whereas, a Taiwan-United States free trade agreement would encourage greater innovations and manufacturing efficiencies by stimulating joint technological development, practical applications, and new cooperative ventures; and

            Whereas, a recent study by the United States International Trade Commission supports the negotiation of a Taiwan-United States free trade agreement to further boost trade between the two countries and serve the broader interests of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby support the negotiation of a Taiwan-United States free trade agreement; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ambassador Rob Portman of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City, Missouri.