PRINTER'S NO. 720
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
108
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY YAW, BARTOLOTTA, J. WARD, STEFANO, MENSCH,
GORDNER, PITTMAN AND MASTRIANO, MAY 6, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 6, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Supporting enhancing the friendship and bilateral relationship
between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan and
supporting the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement in
order to further enhance the economic and trade partnership
between the United States and Taiwan.
WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China, known
commonly in the United States as Taiwan, uphold the same values
of freedom and democracy and are bonded by their shared
commitment to human rights, the rule of law and a free market
economy; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed the landmark
Taiwan Relations Act, which has served as the cornerstone of
United States-Taiwan relations for decades; and
WHEREAS, On August 10, 2020, the United States and Taiwan
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on health cooperation
to strengthen ongoing cooperation on global health security,
control of infectious diseases and the development of drugs and
vaccines intended to fight COVID-19 and to prevent future
international health crises through further collaborations; and
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WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of the
United States, with bilateral trade totaling $83.17 billion in
2020; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has been committed to further enhancing its
economic ties with the United States by seeking to sign a
reciprocal Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance Double
Taxation Agreement and agreeing to ease restrictions on the
importation of United States agricultural products; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan have
developed an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership that
facilitates economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges
over the years; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's 6th
largest export market in Asia and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania is home to a growing number of Taiwanese companies
that create thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania, and a high
standard BTA would encourage even greater access to Taiwan's
market, reduce tariff and nontariff barriers to trade and
increase security and economic growth for both the United States
and Taiwan, as well as Pennsylvania in particular; and
WHEREAS, The MOUs between the United States and Taiwan on
Scientific and Technological Cooperation and International
Education Cooperation lay the foundation for broader exchanges
and cooperation between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
Taiwan on innovation, critical supply chains and language
education; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan signed
an intergovernmental agreement regarding the mutual recognition
of driver's licenses in 2015, creating greater convenience for
the people on both sides and deepening relations between Taiwan
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and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The United States has assisted Taiwan in
participating in the World Health Organization, the
International Civil Aviation Organization and the International
Criminal Police Organization and will continue to support
Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and other
international organizations; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate support enhancing the friendship
and bilateral relationship between the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and Taiwan and support the signing of a Bilateral
Trade Agreement in order to further enhance the economic and
trade partnership between the United States and Taiwan; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the United States Trade
Representative and the United States Secretary of State, as well
as to President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan through the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in New York.
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