FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 11

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1329L.01I

            Whereas, Missouri is pleased to be home to the six-state regional Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City; and

            Whereas, Missouri has demonstrated its commitment to trade with Taiwan by maintaining a Trade Office in Taipei since 1990; 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 ranks the fifth-largest overseas markets for United States agricultural products in general, including the third-largest buyer of United States beef and corn products, the fifth-largest buyer of United States soybean products, the eighth-largest buyer of United States wheat, and the second-largest customer of United States agricultural products worldwide in terms of per capita consumption; and

            Whereas, the United States International Trade Commission found that, with a Taiwan-United States free trade agreement in place, United States exports to Taiwan would increase by 16%, or roughly $3.4 billion annually, and the broader interests of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region would be served:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby support the negotiations 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 George W. Bush, President of the United States; Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State; Carlos M. Gutierrez, United States Secretary of Commerce; Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, the United States Trade Representative, each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City.