HLS 18RS-531 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2
BY REPRESENTATIVES CONNICK AND CROMER
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Encourages closer economic relationship between the U.S.
and the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the negotiation of a bilateral trade
agreement between two countries
1 A RESOLUTION
2To encourage closer economic relationships between the United States and the Republic of
3 China (Taiwan) and the negotiation of a bilateral trade agreement between the two
4 countries.
5 WHEREAS, for decades, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have
6fostered a close relationship that has been of mutual economic, cultural, and strategic
7benefit; bilateral trade between the U.S. and Taiwan reached $68.2 billion in 2017, making
8Taiwan the eleventh largest trading partner of the U.S.; and
9 WHEREAS, Taiwan's economic revitalization program, the five-plus-two innovative
10industries initiative, is boosting U.S.-Taiwan exchanges and as the core objective of
11Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, it is forging regional links with Southeast Asian nations;
12and
13 WHEREAS, U.S. exports to Taiwan, combined with Taiwan's investment in the U.S.,
14support more than three hundred thirty thousand well-paid U.S. jobs; both nations could
15realize further economic gains through the establishment of a bilateral trade agreement and
16by enhancing the platforms of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and Digital
17Economy Forum; and
18 WHEREAS, Taiwan made a momentous transition to democracy beginning in the
19late 1980s and has for years been a beacon of democracy in Asia, with Taiwan rated as free
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HR NO. 2
1by Freedom House twenty years in a row, an inspiring accomplishment for peace-loving
2nations in the world; and
3 WHEREAS, the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 continues to be the cornerstone of
4relations, contributing to continued peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the
5U.S.-Taiwan Global Corporation and Training Framework, established in 2015, helps to
6address global challenges such as international humanitarian assistance and public health;
7and
8 WHEREAS, since November of 2012, travel from Taiwan to the U.S. has increased
9by almost sixty percent and, with more American traveling to Taiwan, the U.S. and Taiwan
10jointly launched trusted traveler programs on the fifth anniversary of Taiwan joining the
11Visa Waiver Program, making Taiwan the twelfth partner worldwide and the third in East
12Asia to join the U.S. Global Entry program; and
13 WHEREAS, Taiwan acts as a natural hub to other Asian destinations, with Taiwan's
14Civil Aeronautics Administration providing services for more than one and a half million
15controlled flights carrying fifty-eight million incoming and outgoing passengers annually;
16and
17 WHEREAS, nontraditional security threats are increasing in the twenty-first century,
18and the meaningful participation and inclusion of Taiwan, the twenty-second largest
19economy in the world, in the International Criminal Police Organization, the International
20Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
21and the World Health Assembly would be beneficial to all nations and their people; and
22 WHEREAS, this year marks the thirty-third anniversary of the sister-state
23relationship between the state of Louisiana and Taiwan, a bond nurtured through mutually
24beneficial exchanges; more than four thousand three hundred jobs in Louisiana are supported
25by Taiwan-affiliated companies, and Louisiana exported $348 million in goods to Taiwan
26in 2016, making Taiwan the fifth largest export market for Louisiana in Asia; and
27 WHEREAS, allowing the recognition of valid, noncommercial driver's licenses
28between Louisiana and Taiwan is part of the effort to promote a business-friendly
29environment in order to advance mutual trade and investment.
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HR NO. 2
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
2Legislature of Louisiana does hereby encourage closer economic relationships between the
3United States and Taiwan and the negotiation of a bilateral trade agreement between the two
4countries.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
6of Louisiana does hereby commend the introduction of reciprocal travel programs, the U.S.
7Global Entry program and the Taiwan e-Gate program, encouraging two-way tourism; does
8hereby support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the International Criminal Police
9Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework
10Convention on Climate Change, and the World Health Assembly; and does hereby
11encourage and support the mutual recognition of noncommercial driver's licenses between
12Louisiana and Taiwan.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
14of Louisiana does hereby celebrate the thirty-third anniversary of the sister-state relationship
15between Louisiana and Taiwan and does hereby commend Peter C.Y. Chen, Director
16General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas, for efforts and
17contributions toward enhancing cooperation between Louisiana and Taiwan.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
19to Peter C.Y. Chen.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 2 Original 2018 Regular Session Connick
Encourages closer economic relationships between the U.S. and Taiwan and the negotiation
of a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries; commends the introduction of
reciprocal traveler programs to encourage tourism; supports Taiwan's meaningful
participation in the International Criminal Police Organization, the International Civil
Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and
the World Health Assembly; encourages and supports the mutual recognition of
noncommercial driver's licenses between La. and Taiwan; celebrates the 33rd anniversary
of the sister-state relationship between La. and Taiwan; and commends Peter C.Y. Chen,
Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
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