2023 -- H 6322
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LC002811
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND
TAIWAN, WHILE SUPPORTING ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Edwards,
McNamara, Diaz, Kazarian, Chippendale, Fenton-Fung, and Azzinaro
Date Introduced: April 25, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a robust 1
bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership, and supported by our common 2
values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, that has resulted in 3
our countries now enjoying strong and enduring relations; and 4
WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd-largest trading partner, and Taiwan 5
is the 8th-largest trading partner of the United States as of 2022, with United States trade in goods 6
with Taiwan totaling an estimated $135.5 billion. Taiwan was the 6th-largest consumer of 7
agricultural goods in 2022, totaling $4.4 billion, and a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between 8
Taiwan and the United States would result in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan while 9
creating more jobs for the people of Rhode Island; and 10
WHEREAS, Taiwan-Rhode Island bilateral trade continues to grow. In 2022, Rhode 11
Island’s total exports to Taiwan reached $55 million, a 37.5 percent increase over 2021, which 12
included computer equipment, nonferrous materials excluding Alum and processing, basic 13
chemicals, navigation, medical and control instruments, and electrical equipment and 14
components, making Taiwan the 13th-largest export market of Rhode Island in the world. A 15
Rhode Island trade office in Taiwan would further increase bilateral trade exchanges and create 16
more economic benefits for the people of Rhode Island; and 17
WHEREAS, The reciprocal driver’s license agreement signed between the Rhode Island 18
Division of Motor Vehicles and Taiwan has proven to be beneficial and a Memorandum of 19
LC002811 - Page 2 of 2
Understanding (MOU) on education exchange between Rhode Island and Taiwan would greatly 1
benefit students from both our State and the Republic of China (Taiwan); and 2
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, making its 3
inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the 4
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation 5
Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of the international community. 6
In addition, Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 7
(UNFCCC) is necessary in the global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore be it 8
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 9
encourages the Rhode Island State Government to promote and strengthen bilateral trade relations 10
with Taiwan, including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and 11
establishing a MOU to increase educational exchanges with Taiwan, and support for Taiwan's 12
participation in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, 13
INTERPOL, UNFCCC, and ICAO; and be it further 14
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 15
transmit duly certified copies this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the 16
United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable Daniel 17
J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Tsai Ing-wen, President, Republic of 18
China (Taiwan); and Director-General Jonathan Sun of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office 19
in Boston. 20
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LC002811
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