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S.J.R. 7
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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;
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:
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
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.