PRINTER'S NO. 1998
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
208
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY O'MARA, ROWE, SHUSTERMAN, MADDEN, KINSEY, STURLA,
R. MACKENZIE, SCHLOSSBERG, SANCHEZ, FLICK, KHAN, GILLEN AND
GREEN, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Supporting the friendship and bilateral relationship between the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan and the signing of a
United States-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement.
WHEREAS, The United States and Republic of China, known
commonly in the United States as Taiwan, are bonded by a shared
commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a
free market economy; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan have
developed an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership that
facilitates economic, cultural and interpersonal exchanges over
the years; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States passed the
landmark Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close
bilateral relationship as well as to advance mutual security and
commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, The TRA serves as the cornerstone of United States-
Taiwan relations, preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait; and
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WHEREAS, Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial
to the maintenance of a free and open Indo-Pacific; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is an indispensable partner in safeguarding
peace and stability in the region; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is the ninth largest trading partner of the
United States, with 2022 bilateral trade totaling $135.5
billion; and
WHEREAS, The United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) will help bolster the economic potential of the
region by defining shared trade objectives among partners and
addressing standards for technology, supply chains, the digital
economy and clean energy; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan supports this initiative and wishes to become
a full member of IPEF; and
WHEREAS, The United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century
Trade intends to develop concrete methods to deepen our economic
and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on
shared values and promote innovative and inclusive economic
growth for our workers and businesses, including through new
trade agreements; and
WHEREAS, In order to strengthen bilateral trade, the
government of Taiwan has expressed its desire to sign a
Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation
Agreement with the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reopened a trade
and investment office in Taiwan in 2022, enhancing the robust
economic relationship between the two sides; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is Pennsylvania's sixth largest export market
in Asia, and Pennsylvania is home to a growing number of
Taiwanese companies that create thousands of jobs throughout
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Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, a Taiwanese shipping company recently
became the first Asian shipping company to stop at the Port of
Philadelphia, directly connecting Philadelphia with Taiwan and
other Asian countries, thus further expanding trade between
Pennsylvania and Asia; and
WHEREAS, Life Sciences Pennsylvania signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Taiwan Bio Industry Organization in 2015,
and the Pittsburgh Robotics Network joined a strategic alliance
with the Taiwan-USA Industrial Cooperation Promotion Office,
Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Taiwan Automation
Intelligence and Robotics Association to strengthen cooperation
in the fields of robotics, automation, AI and smart
manufacturing in 2021; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Taiwan signed
an agreement regarding the mutual recognition of driver's
licenses in 2015, deepening relations and providing greater
convenience to people on both sides; and
WHEREAS, The United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was
launched in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international
education and highlight Taiwan's ability to provide Mandarin
language instruction; and
WHEREAS, Given Mandarin's designation as a critical language
as well as Taiwan's plans to be bilingual by 2030, schools and
institutions of higher education in both Pennsylvania and Taiwan
are encouraged to enhance their exchanges, as exemplified by the
partnership between The Pennsylvania State University and
National Taiwan Normal University; and
WHEREAS, The United States has assisted Taiwan in
participating in the World Health Organization, International
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Civil Aviation Organization and 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 House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania support the friendship and
bilateral relationship between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and Taiwan and the signing of a United States-Taiwan Bilateral
Trade Agreement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
Governor Josh Shapiro, the United States Secretary of State
Antony Blinken and Ambassador James Lee of the Taipei Economic
and Cultural Office in New York.
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