Assembly Joint Resolution No. 4–Committee on
Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

FILE NUMBER..........

 

Assembly Joint RESOLUTION—Urging the President of the United States and Congress to support a free trade agreement between the Republic of China on Taiwan and the United States.

 

    Whereas, It is our belief that it is the responsibility of the

United States to promote the values of freedom, democracy, and a

commitment to open markets and the free exchange of both goods

and ideas both at home and abroad; and

    Whereas, The Republic of China on Taiwan shares these

values with the United States and has struggled throughout the past

50 years to create what is today an open and thriving democracy;

and

    Whereas, The United States must continue to support the

growth of democracy and ongoing market opening in Taiwan if this

relationship is to evolve and reflect the changing nature of the global

system in the 21st Century; and

    Whereas, Despite the fact that Taiwan only recently became a

member of the World Trade Organization and that it has no formal

trade agreement with the United States, Taiwan has nevertheless

emerged as the United States’ eighth largest trading partner; and

    Whereas, American businesses and workers have benefited

greatly from this dynamic trade relationship, most recently in the

computer and electronics sector; and

    Whereas, Taiwan is a gateway to other Pacific Rim markets

for United States exports, helping to preserve peace and stability

within the entire region; and

    Whereas, United States agricultural products have been

particularly underrepresented in the list of United States exports to

the region despite the importance of the market for growers of corn,

wheat and soybeans; and

    Whereas, A free trade agreement would not only help

Taiwan’s economy dramatically expand its already growing

entrepreneurial class, but it would also serve an important political

function; and

    Whereas, The United States needs to support partner countries

that are lowering trade barriers; and

    Whereas, Taiwan has emerged over the past two decades as

one of the United States’ most important allies in Asia and

throughout the world; and

    Whereas, In the interest of supporting, preserving and

protecting the democratic fabric of the government of the Republic

of China on Taiwan, it is made clear that the United States supports

the withdrawal of missiles deployed as a threat against Taiwan by

the People’s Republic of China; and

    Whereas, Taiwan has forged an open, market-based economy

and a thriving democracy based on free elections and the freedom of

dissent; and

    Whereas, It is in the interest of the United States to encourage

the development of both these institutions; and

    Whereas, The United States has an obligation to its allies and

to its own citizens to encourage economic growth, market opening,

and the destruction of trade barriers as a means of raising living

standards across the board; and

    Whereas, A free trade agreement with Taiwan would be a

positive step toward accomplishing all of these goals; and

    Whereas, The United States should also support the entry of

Taiwan into the World Health Organization, the United Nations and

other relevant international organizations; now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of

Nevada, Jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature

hereby urge President George W. Bush and Congress to support a

free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan; and be

it further

    Resolved, That United States policy should include the pursuit

of some initiative in the World Trade Organization that will give

Taiwan meaningful participation in a manner that is consistent with

the organization’s requirements; and be it further

    Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and

transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the United

States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health,

Education, and Welfare, the Speaker of the United States House of

Representatives, the Vice President of the United States as presiding

officer of the Senate, the Government of Taiwan, the World Trade

Organization and the members of the Nevada Congressional

Delegation; and be it further

    Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon

passage.

 

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