HLS 19RS-649 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY REPRESENTATIVE CONNICK
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 the 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 $76 billion in 2018, making
8Taiwan the eleventh largest trading partner of the U.S. and the largest per capita importer
9of U.S. agricultural products; both nations could realize further economic gains through the
10establishment of a bilateral trade agreement and by enhancing such platforms as a Trade and
11Investment Framework Agreement and Digital Economy Forum; and
12 WHEREAS, Taiwan maintains biennial agricultural procurement missions to the
13U.S. to sign multi-billion-dollar supply deals and routinely dispatches a substantial
14delegation to participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit; and
15 WHEREAS, the World Economic Forum's 2018 Global Competitiveness Report
16rated Taiwan thirteenth among one hundred forty economies and recognized Taiwan as one
17of the World's Four Super Innovators, resulting from wide-ranging regulatory efforts to build
18an environment conducive to financial sector development and foreign direct investment and
19underscoring the impact of Taiwan's five-plus-two industrial innovation initiative targeting
20the high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense,
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HR NO. 14
1smart machinery, and internet of things, as well as the circular economy and new agriculture;
2and
3 WHEREAS, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was elected on January 16, 2016, and
4has since paid two visits to Houston, Texas, to underscore the close ties between the two
5countries; during her most recent visit, in August of 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards
6joined President Tsai at a business roundtable, highlighting the agreement between Taiwan's
7CPC Corporation and Houston-headquartered Cheniere for a $25 billion, twenty-five-year
8purchase of Louisiana LNG, the economic benefit of Formosa Petrochemical's $9.4 billion
9investment in St. James Parish, and the remarkable accomplishment of signing a driver's
10license reciprocity agreement between Louisiana and Taiwan on August 14, 2018; and
11 WHEREAS, the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 has continued to provide a sturdy
12foundation for the flourishing of robust U.S.-Taiwan relations for forty years, contributing
13to continued peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region; this year, the Taiwan Travel Act
14was passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress and signed by President Trump to
15encourage high-level officials' visits between the two countries; and both countries have
16further affirmed the partnership in such areas as international humanitarian assistance, public
17health, and technology under the U.S.-Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework
18established in 2015; and
19 WHEREAS, travel from Taiwan to the U.S. has increased by more than fifty percent
20since Taiwan's participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2012, EVA Air launched
21its direct Taipei-Houston route in 2015, and Taiwan joined the U.S. Global Entry program
22in November 2017; these significant efforts will continue to promote tourism and encourage
23exchanges between the two peoples; and
24 WHEREAS, nontraditional security threats are increasing in the twenty-first century,
25and the meaningful participation and inclusion of Taiwan, the twenty-second largest
26economy in the world, in the International Criminal Police Organization, the International
27Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
28and the World Health Assembly would be beneficial to all nations and their people; and
29 WHEREAS, this year marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of the sister-state
30relationship between the state of Louisiana and Taiwan, which has nurtured and maintained
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HR NO. 14
1a friendship built on unwavering bonds beneficial and rewarding for both governments and
2their citizens now and in the future.
3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
4Legislature of Louisiana does hereby encourage closer economic relationships between the
5United States and Taiwan and the negotiation of a bilateral trade agreement between the two
6countries.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
8of Louisiana does hereby commend Taiwan's inclusion in the U.S. Global Entry program and
9Visa Waiver program for the purpose of encouraging economic and cultural exchanges and
10does hereby support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the International Criminal Police
11Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework
12Convention on Climate Change, and the World Health Assembly.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
14of Louisiana does hereby celebrate the thirty-fourth anniversary of the sister-state
15relationship between Louisiana and Taiwan and the fortieth anniversary of the Taiwan
16Relations Act and does hereby commend Peter Chen, Director General of the Taipei
17Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, Texas, for efforts and contributions towards
18enhancing cooperation between Louisiana and Taiwan.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
20to Peter 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 14 Original 2019 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 Taiwan's inclusion in
the U.S. Global Entry and Visa Waiver Program; 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; celebrates the 34th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between La.
and Taiwan and the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act; and commends Peter
Chen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
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