HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 10

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella and Christine Trujillo

A JOINT MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENT OR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS.

     WHEREAS, in 2015, New Mexico's exports to Taiwan reached six million four hundred thousand dollars ($6,400,000), making Taiwan New Mexico's eighth-largest export market in Asia, and twenty-fourth-largest export market in the world. In total, eight hundred ninety-four jobs in New Mexico are supported by Taiwanese-affiliated companies and industries related to the export of goods and services to Taiwan. New Mexico companies have substantial opportunities to expand their business and economic cooperation with Taiwan; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is the ninth-largest trading partner of the United States and the second-largest buyer of United States agricultural products. The two-way trade volume between the United States and Taiwan was sixty-six billion six hundred million dollars ($66,600,000,000) in 2015. In total, Taiwan supports an estimated three hundred twenty-four thousand five hundred sixty-nine jobs in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the signing of a free trade agreement and bilateral investment 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. Negotiating a free-trade agreement and a bilateral investment agreement would be a "win-win" strategy that would not only stimulate mutual economic growth, but also significantly strengthen job creation opportunities for both countries; and

     WHEREAS, both the United States government and congress support Taiwan's meaningful 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. The New Mexico legislature has echoed this support, passing a joint memorial in support of Taiwan's international participation in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico and Taiwan established sister-state relations thirty-two years ago, resulting in various mutual agreements, including Taiwan's signing of a mutual recognition of driver's licenses and exchange of driver's licenses without written and road tests with New Mexico, as well as nineteen other states and Puerto Rico. In an effort to reinforce the economic, cultural and tourist relations between New Mexico and Taiwan, the executive branch of the state of New Mexico is encouraged to sign a similar agreement with Taiwan this year; and

     WHEREAS, increasing interactions between high-ranking public elected officials or lawmakers from New Mexico and Taiwan would deepen ties between both sides, and it is advocated and encouraged that the governor of New Mexico lead a trade delegation to Taiwan in the coming year to advance bilateral trade and investment relations between New Mexico and Taiwan;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress and the president of the United States be requested to support negotiations for a United States-Taiwan free trade agreement and bilateral investment agreement, Taiwan's participation in international organizations, the signing of an agreement of mutual recognition of driver's licenses and the exchange of driver's licenses without written and road tests with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor of New Mexico be requested to visit Taiwan in the coming year; and

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

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