[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15--RELATIVE TO TAIWAN

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

                            S. Con. Res. 15

       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.

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, the months ahead will require a number 
of important decisions regarding the continuing evolution of U.S. 
policy in the region of the Taiwan Straits.
  Today, I am submitting a concurrent resolution to help clarify long-
standing U.S. commitments in this regard.
  While the Clinton Administration and Congress attempt to improve 
relations with the communist authorities in Beijing, it is important 
for Congress to make clear the depth of the bipartisan commitment to 
the burgeoning democratic forces on Taiwan. Any improvement in U.S. 
relations with Taiwan, does not and should not come at the expense of 
our ties with the people of Taiwan.
  The U.S. must renew our past commitments to the people of Taiwan. For 
example, as a result of the Taiwan Policy Review throughout 1993 and 
1994 and the balance of 1994, the Clinton Administration publicly 
pledged to support Taiwan's membership in appropriate international 
organizations. In this regard, few are as important as the World Trade 
Organization.
  Taiwan is currently the U.S.'s fifth largest trading partner and U.S. 
exports to Taiwan total more than $17 billion annually. This sum is 
almost twice as much as U.S. exports to the P.R.C. Our trade with the 
People's Republic has produced a crushing $39 billion deficit last 
year.
  The Clinton Administration is publicly committed to supporting 
Taiwan's bid to join the World Trade Organization. It has already 
declared that the U.S. will not oppose the bid solely on the grounds 
that the P.R.C., which is also seeking WTO membership, is not yet 
eligible because of its unacceptable trade practices.
  The U.S. and Taiwan have concluded discussions on virtually all 
outstanding trade issues necessary for Taiwan's W.T.O. eligibility. All 
that is left is for the U.S. to make clear that it is prepared to 
support Taiwan's membership and for Taiwan and the U.S. to work out the 
few remaining details governing trade in a few specific sectors.
  In the weeks ahead, we will be called upon to vote to renew Most 
Favored Nation Status for China and analyzing China's actions as they 
take control of Hong Kong. As we do all of this, we cannot forget about 
our commitments to the people of Taiwan.
  Congress should reaffirm our support for Taiwan's bid to join the 
W.T.O. and make clear that our decision regarding Taiwan's bid will not 
be held hostage to U.S. negotiations with Beijing.
  Today, I am submitting a Sense of the Congress concurrent resolution 
which affirms our support for Taiwan's membership in the W.T.O.. I am 
pleased that a similar concurrent resolution is being submitted with 
bi-partisan support in the other body.

                          ____________________