AJR69: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3214/1

CMH:cjs&klm

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 69

October 8, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Murtha, Tranel, Kulp, Allen, Ballweg, Hebl, Kleefisch, Krug, T. Larson, Murphy, Nygren, A. Ott, Petryk, Ripp, Sinicki and Tauchen, cosponsored by Senators Marklein, Cowles, Lasee, Lassa and Vinehout. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR69,1,5 Relating to: reaffirming support for increasing Taiwan's international profile and for strengthening and expanding sister-city and sister-state ties between Wisconsin and Taiwan; and supporting Taiwan's efforts to secure entry to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) with the United States.

AJR69,1,8 Whereas, the state of Wisconsin is proud of the sister-city and sister-state relationships it enjoys with the Republic of China (Taiwan) marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchange, and tourism; and

AJR69,1,11 Whereas, Taiwan, as a full-fledged democracy, shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the State of Wisconsin; and

AJR69,1,14 Whereas, the United States ranks as Taiwan's 3rd-largest trading partner and Taiwan ranks as the 12th-largest trading partner of the United States, with bilateral trade reaching $57.7 billion in 2013; and

AJR69,2,5 Whereas, Taiwan and the State of Wisconsin have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of future growth, and Taiwan was Wisconsin's 21st-largest export destination in 2014, with $182 million worth of Wisconsin goods shipped to Taiwan, including industrial machinery and computer, electronic, paper, and agricultural products; and

AJR69,2,10 Whereas, the Taiwan Agricultural Goodwill Mission delegation made its inaugural stop in Wisconsin in September 2011, and once again in 2013, reaffirming the cordial relations between Wisconsin and Taiwan and the ongoing mutual trade benefits derived from Taiwan's reliable imports of Wisconsin's agricultural goods, which in 2013 totaled more than $20 million; and

AJR69,2,16 Whereas, negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade and paving the way for entering into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between our countries, thereby increasing Wisconsin's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and

AJR69,2,24 Whereas, Taiwan, seeking greater regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and promotion of bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States, welcomes the opportunity presented by the United States' announcement at the 2011 APEC leaders meeting of the United States' intent not only to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the proposed 21st-century trade agreement between the United States and 11 other Asia-Pacific Rim countries, but to expand TPP membership in the future to include other countries, such as Taiwan; now, therefore, be it

AJR69,3,4 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That Wisconsin reaffirms its commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-city and sister-state relationships between Taiwan and the State of Wisconsin; and, be it further

AJR69,3,8 Resolved, That Wisconsin supports Taiwan's efforts to secure entry to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and welcomes the signing of the Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States; and, be it further

AJR69,3,11 Resolved, That Wisconsin continues to support Taiwan's appropriate participation in international organizations which impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan; and, be it further

AJR69,3,14 Resolved, That the chief clerk of the assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Illinois.

AJR69,3,15 (End)