[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2475-S2476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 84--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
 REGARDING A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN

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

                            S. Con. Res. 84

       Whereas for more than 50 years a close relationship has 
     existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been 
     of enormous economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to 
     both countries;
       Whereas on November 16, 2005, President Bush noted the 
     strong ties between the United States and Taiwan, saying 
     Taiwan is a ``free and democratic Chinese society'', and that 
     economic reforms have made it ``one of the world's most 
     important trading partners'';
       Whereas on January 1, 2002, Taiwan was officially admitted 
     into the World Trade Organization under the name of the 
     ``Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
     Matsu'' (TPKM), and this accession has reduced Taiwanese 
     tariffs and has increased market access to foreign 
     investment;
       Whereas on August 6, 2002, the President signed into law 
     the Trade Act of 2002, which by request, was extended until 
     June 30, 2007, providing for an expedited procedure for 
     congressional consideration of international trade 
     agreements;
       Whereas a 2002 report issued by the United States 
     International Trade Commission found some sectors of the 
     United States economy, such as exports of motor vehicles, 
     rice, and fish would increase significantly, and other food 
     exports to Taiwan would increase by more than 100 percent, if 
     the United States entered into a free trade agreement with 
     Taiwan;
       Whereas the United States is Taiwan's third largest trading 
     partner, and Taiwan is the eighth largest trading partner of 
     the United States;
       Whereas Taiwan is the sixth largest market for United 
     States agricultural products, while in terms of per capita 
     consumption, Taiwan is the world's second largest consumer, 
     the third largest buyer of United States beef and corn, the 
     fifth largest buyer of United States soybeans, and the eighth 
     largest buyer of United States wheat;
       Whereas Taiwan has become the world's largest producer of 
     information technology hardware, and ranks first in the 
     production of notebook computers, monitors, motherboards, and 
     scanners;
       Whereas the United States is an important supplier of 
     electrical machinery and appliances, transport equipment, 
     scientific instruments, and chemical products to Taiwan;
       Whereas Taiwan purchases nearly the same amount of goods 
     and services from the United States as all the countries with 
     respect to which the United States is currently negotiating 
     free trade agreements; and

[[Page S2476]]

       Whereas the United States and Taiwan have already signed 
     more than 140 bilateral agreements: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the 
     United States should increase trade opportunities with Taiwan 
     by launching negotiations to enter into a free trade 
     agreement with Taiwan.

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