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

 

March 7, 2003

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Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

SUMMARY—Urges President of United States and Congress to support free trade agreement between Republic of China on Taiwan and United States. (BDR R‑1213)

 

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on Local Government: No.

                   Effect on the State: No.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

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.

 

1-1  Whereas, It is our belief that it is the responsibility of the

1-2  United States to promote the values of freedom, democracy, and a

1-3  commitment to open markets and the free exchange of both goods

1-4  and ideas both at home and abroad; and

1-5  Whereas, The Republic of China on Taiwan shares these

1-6  values with the United States and has struggled throughout the past

1-7  50 years to create what is today an open and thriving democracy;

1-8  and

1-9  Whereas, The United States must continue to support the

1-10  growth of democracy and ongoing market opening in Taiwan if this

1-11  relationship is to evolve and reflect the changing nature of the global

1-12  system in the 21st Century; and

1-13      Whereas, Despite the fact that Taiwan only recently became a

1-14  member of the World Trade Organization and that it has no formal

1-15  trade agreement with the United States, Taiwan has nevertheless

1-16  emerged as the United States’ eighth largest trading partner; and

1-17      Whereas, American businesses and workers have benefited

1-18  greatly from this dynamic trade relationship, most recently in the

1-19  computer and electronics sector; and

2-1  Whereas, Taiwan is a gateway to other Pacific Rim markets

2-2  for United States exports, helping to preserve peace and stability

2-3  within the entire region; and

2-4  Whereas, United States agricultural products have been

2-5  particularly underrepresented in the list of United States exports to

2-6  the region despite the importance of the market for growers of corn,

2-7  wheat and soybeans; and

2-8  Whereas, A free trade agreement would not only help

2-9  Taiwan’s economy dramatically expand its already growing

2-10  entrepreneurial class, but it would also serve an important political

2-11  function; and

2-12      Whereas, The United States needs to support partner countries

2-13  that are lowering trade barriers; and

2-14      Whereas, Taiwan has emerged over the past two decades as

2-15  one of the United States’ most important allies in Asia and

2-16  throughout the world; and

2-17      Whereas, In the interest of supporting, preserving and

2-18  protecting the democratic fabric of the government of the Republic

2-19  of China on Taiwan, it is made clear that the United States supports

2-20  the withdrawal of missiles deployed as a threat against Taiwan by

2-21  the People’s Republic of China; and

2-22      Whereas, Taiwan has forged an open, market-based economy

2-23  and a thriving democracy based on free elections and the freedom of

2-24  dissent; and

2-25      Whereas, It is in the interest of the United States to encourage

2-26  the development of both these institutions; and

2-27      Whereas, The United States has an obligation to its allies and

2-28  to its own citizens to encourage economic growth, market opening,

2-29  and the destruction of trade barriers as a means of raising living

2-30  standards across the board; and

2-31      Whereas, A free trade agreement with Taiwan would be a

2-32  positive step toward accomplishing all of these goals; and

2-33      Whereas, The United States should also support the entry of

2-34  Taiwan into the World Health Organization, the United Nations and

2-35  other relevant international organizations; now, therefore, be it

2-36      Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of

2-37  Nevada, Jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature

2-38  hereby urge President George W. Bush and Congress to support a

2-39  free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan; and be

2-40  it further

2-41      Resolved, That United States policy should include the pursuit

2-42  of some initiative in the World Trade Organization that will give

2-43  Taiwan meaningful participation in a manner that is consistent with

2-44  the organization’s requirements; and be it further

3-1  Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and

3-2  transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the United

3-3  States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health,

3-4  Education, and Welfare, the Speaker of the United States House of

3-5  Representatives, the Vice President of the United States as presiding

3-6  officer of the Senate, the Government of Taiwan, the World Trade

3-7  Organization and the members of the Nevada Congressional

3-8  Delegation; and be it further

3-9  Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon

3-10  passage.

 

3-11  H