[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 15 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 15

  Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States support the 
          accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 20, 1997

Mr. Torricelli submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States support the 
          accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization.

Whereas the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan have long 
        enjoyed extensive ties;
Whereas Taiwan, a democracy of 21,000,000 people, is currently the eighth 
        largest trading partner of the United States, and United States exports 
        to Taiwan total more than $18,000,000,000 annually, far exceeding the 
        $12,000,000,000 the United States exports to the People's Republic of 
        China;
Whereas the current administration has committed publicly to support Taiwan's 
        bid to join the World Trade Organization (referred to in this resolution 
        as the ``WTO'') and has declared that the United States will not oppose 
        that bid solely on the grounds that the People's Republic of China, 
        which also seeks WTO membership, is not yet eligible because of the 
        People's Republic of China's unacceptable trade practices;
Whereas the United States and Taiwan have concluded discussions on virtually all 
        outstanding trade issues necessary for Taiwan to be eligible to join the 
        WTO;
Whereas reversion of control over Hong Kong to Beijing, scheduled to occur on 
        July 1, 1997, will, in most respects, afford the People's Republic of 
        China WTO treatment for the bulk of its trade goods, despite the fact 
        that the People's Republic of China's trade practices currently fall far 
        short of qualifying for WTO membership;
Whereas the American people's fundamental sense of fairness warrants support by 
        the United States Government for Taiwan's bid for WTO membership; and
Whereas it is in the economic interests of United States consumers and exporters 
        for Taiwan to accede to the WTO at the earliest possible moment: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that negotiations between the United 
States and Taiwan be concluded promptly and that the United States 
Government publicly support the prompt accession of Taiwan to the WTO.
                                 <all>