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S.J.R. 7

This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 13, 2003 at 10:56 AM by rday. -->              1     

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A FREE TRADE

             2     
AGREEMENT

             3     
2003 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson

             6      This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Bush Administration to support a free
             7      trade agreement between the Republic of China on Taiwan and the United States.
             8      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             9          WHEREAS, the United States should promote the values of freedom, democracy, and a
             10      commitment to open markets and the free exchange of both goods and ideas at home and
             11      abroad;
             12          WHEREAS, the Republic of China on Taiwan shares these values with the United
             13      States and has struggled throughout the past 50 years to create what is today an open and
             14      thriving democracy;
             15          WHEREAS, the United States must continue to support the growth of democracy and
             16      ongoing market opening in Taiwan if this relationship is to evolve and reflect the changing
             17      nature of the global system in the 21st Century;
             18          WHEREAS, despite the fact that Taiwan only recently became a member of the World
             19      Trade Organization and that it has no formal trade agreement with the United States, Taiwan
             20      has nevertheless emerged as the United States' eighth largest trading partner;
             21          WHEREAS, American businesses and workers have benefitted greatly from this
             22      dynamic trade relationship, most recently in the computer and electronics sector;
             23          WHEREAS, Taiwan is a gateway to other Pacific Rim markets for United States
             24      exports, helping to preserve peace and stability within the entire region;
             25          WHEREAS, United States agricultural producers have been particularly under
             26      represented in the list of United States exports to the region, despite the importance of the
             27      market for growers of corn, wheat, and soybeans;




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Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-13-2003 rd/sms
             28
         WHEREAS, a free trade agreement would not only help Taiwan's economy
             29      dramatically expand its already growing entrepreneurial class, but it would also serve an
             30      important political function;
             31          WHEREAS, the United States needs to support partner countries that are lowering trade
             32      barriers;
             33          WHEREAS, Taiwan has emerged over the past two decades as one of the United States'
             34      most important allies in Asia and throughout the world;
             35          WHEREAS, in the interest of supporting, preserving, and protecting the democratic
             36      fabric of the government of Taiwan, it is made clear that the United States supports the
             37      withdrawal of missiles deployed as a threat against Taiwan by the People's Republic of China;
             38          WHEREAS, Taiwan has forged an open, market-based economy and a thriving
             39      democracy based on free elections and the freedom of dissent;
             40          WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the United States to encourage the development of
             41      both these institutions;
             42          WHEREAS, the United States has an obligation to its allies and to its own citizens to
             43      encourage economic growth, market opening, and the destruction of trade barriers as a means
             44      of raising living standards across the board;
             45          WHEREAS, a free trade agreement with Taiwan would be a positive step toward
             46      accomplishing all of these goals; and
             47          WHEREAS, the United States should also support the entry of Taiwan into the World
             48      Health Organization S UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS s :
             49          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
             50      urges the Bush Administration to support a free trade agreement between the United States and
             51      Taiwan.
             52          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that United States policy should include the pursuit of
             53      some initiative in the World Trade Organization which will give Taiwan meaningful
             54      participation in a manner that is consistent with the organization's requirements.
             55          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
             56      the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health, Education, and
             57      Welfare, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United
             58      States Senate, the Government of Taiwan, the World Trade Organization, and the members of



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             59
     Utah's congressional delegation.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-27-03 10:00 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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