74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
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 LC 2104
 
                     House Joint Memorial 13
 
Sponsored by Representatives LIM, BUTLER; Representative
  THATCHER, Senator JOHNSON
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges President of United States, United States Congress and
United States Trade Representative to negotiate and ratify free
trade agreement with Taiwan.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States, the Senate and the House
  of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
  assembled, and the United States Trade Representative,
  Ambassador Susan Schwab:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas countries that lower trade barriers and invite other
countries to participate in their national economies enjoy higher
standards of living; and
  Whereas free trade allows consumers in all countries to have
access to a wide range of higher quality goods, products and
services and to pay less for those goods, products and services
than is possible without free trade; and
  Whereas the record of economic successes that flow from trade
is unambiguous; and
  Whereas the United States is economically vital in large part
because the nation's markets are relatively free and open; and
  Whereas international trade is a leading source of growth in
the United States economy and trade with Asian countries is a
significant and expanding part of United States international
trade; and
  Whereas Taiwan is a steadfast and stable regional ally that has
a vibrant, dynamic and highly productive economy and is a leading
source for technology-based production and innovation; and
  Whereas Taiwan's importance in Asia as a source of capital and
a linkage into China's vast market is nearly unparalleled; and
  Whereas Taiwan's continuing efforts to liberalize the country's
economy and build productive trading relationships have enabled
the country to become a member of the Asian Development Bank and
enter into the World Trade Organization in 2002, which shows that
Taiwan has the respect and confidence of the world economic
community; and
  Whereas, despite Taiwan's importance to the United States as an
ally and as the United States' eighth-largest trading partner,
the percentage of Taiwan's international trade conducted with the
United States has declined sharply, from just under half of
Taiwan's trade activity in 1984 to about 20 percent of Taiwan's
trade activity in recent years, a trend that may continue
downward in future years; and
  Whereas remaining trade barriers between the United States and
Taiwan are a drag on growth and prosperity for both nations; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  That we, the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly, urge the
President, Ambassador Schwab and Congress to pursue negotiations
to forge and ratify a free trade agreement with Taiwan that will
lower the remaining trade barriers between the two countries,
that will spur new investment, innovation and production and that
will increase the nation's share of Taiwanese international
trade; and be it further
  Resolved, That a copy of this memorial shall be sent to the
President of the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the United States
Trade Representative and to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation.
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