[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 60 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 60

 Expressing the sense of Congress relating to negotiating a free trade 
            agreement between the United States and Taiwan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 18, 2007

Mr. Baucus (for himself and Mr. Kyl) submitted the following concurrent 
       resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress relating to negotiating a free trade 
            agreement between the United States and Taiwan.

Whereas for more than 50 years a close bilateral relationship has existed 
        between the United States and Taiwan as evidenced by the Taiwan 
        Relations Act;
Whereas on January 1, 2002, Taiwan was admitted to the World Trade Organization, 
        which has resulted in a reduction in duties for foreign goods and an 
        increase in market access for foreign investment;
Whereas a 2002 United States International Trade Commission report found that 
        exports by some sectors of the United States economy would increase 
        significantly if the United States entered into a free trade agreement 
        with Taiwan;
Whereas bilateral trade between Taiwan and the United States was $57,000,000,000 
        in 2005 and $61,000,000,000 in 2006;
Whereas Taiwan ranks as the 9th largest trading partner of the United States and 
        the 11th largest export market for United States goods;
Whereas Taiwan is the 6th largest market for United States agricultural 
        products, the 3rd largest buyer of United States corn, the 4th largest 
        buyer of United States soybeans, the 5th largest buyer of United States 
        beef, and the 6th largest buyer of United States wheat;
Whereas the United States is an important supplier of electrical machinery and 
        appliances, aircraft, scientific instruments, and chemical products to 
        Taiwan;
Whereas increasing exports to large and commercially significant economies in 
        Asia is a critical part of reducing the United States trade deficit;
Whereas Taiwan, as a democracy and free market economy, shares with the United 
        States principles and values that provide a strong foundation for open, 
        fair, and mutually beneficial trade relations; and
Whereas maintaining and strengthening a robust trade relationship with Taiwan is 
        of economic significance to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that the United States should increase 
trade opportunities with Taiwan and should launch negotiations for a 
free trade agreement with Taiwan.
                                 <all>