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