HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 21

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella and Rodolpho "Rudy" S. Martinez

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT MEMORIAL

STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN NEW MEXICO AND TAIWAN.

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico and the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, established sister-state relations thirty-three years ago, resulting in various mutual agreements; and

     WHEREAS, in 2016, New Mexico's exports to Taiwan reached five million two hundred forty thousand dollars ($5,240,000), making Taiwan New Mexico's tenth-largest export market in Asia; and

     WHEREAS, the bilateral trade between New Mexico and Taiwan has reached fifty-one million five hundred eighty thousand dollars ($51,580,000), and eight hundred eighteen jobs in New Mexico are supported by Taiwan-affiliated companies and industries related to the export of goods and services to Taiwan; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the tenth-largest trading partner of the United States and the second-largest buyer of agricultural products from the United States, with a two-way trade volume of sixty-five billion three hundred million dollars ($65,300,000,000) in 2016 that supports an estimated three hundred twenty-nine thousand eight hundred fifty-three jobs in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan would foster a more open and fair trade environment, thereby creating greater export and investment opportunities between markets, stimulating mutual economic growth and significantly increasing business opportunities for both countries; and

     WHEREAS, the United States supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations such as the world health organization, the international civil aviation organization, the United Nations framework convention on climate change and the international criminal police organization; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature passed joint memorials in support of Taiwan's international participation in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan has signed agreements with twenty-six states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam for mutual recognition of driver's licenses without requiring written and road tests; and

     WHEREAS, both New Mexico and Taiwan would benefit from the signing of a similar agreement; and

     WHEREAS, increasing interactions between high-ranking public elected officials and lawmakers from New Mexico and Taiwan will strengthen ties between New Mexico and Taiwan;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support the negotiation of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, Taiwan's participation in international organizations, the signing of an agreement for mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses without written and road tests and a visit by the governor of New Mexico to Taiwan in 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, members of New Mexico's congressional delegation, the United States secretary of state and the United States trade representative.

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