HOUSE MEMORIAL 4

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Georgene Louis

A MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN NEW MEXICO, THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN IN TRADE, THE EXCHANGE OF VISITS BY OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTING TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

     WHEREAS, the trade in goods and services between the United States and the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, totaled an estimated one hundred three billion nine hundred million dollars ($103,900,000,000) in 2019, with forty-two billion three hundred million dollars ($42,300,000,000) in exports and sixty-one billion six hundred million dollars ($61,600,000,000) in imports, ranking Taiwan as the tenth-largest trading partner of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, overall, Taiwan supports more than three hundred seventy-three thousand two hundred eighty-eight jobs in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan was New Mexico's nineteenth-largest export market in 2019, with a total of fifteen million three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($15,350,000) in exports from New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in total, more than one thousand two hundred nine jobs in New Mexico are supported by Taiwan-affiliated companies and the exports of goods and services to Taiwan; and

     WHEREAS, one hundred fifty-seven members of congress signed a letter to United States trade representative Robert E. Lighthizer on December 19, 2019, and fifty United States senators signed an additional letter to him on October 1, 2020, both encouraging the United States government to work toward initiating negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan, which would foster a more open and fair trade environment, thereby creating greater export and investment opportunities between the two countries; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's Admiral cable located operations in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, in 2018, and Xxentria and Cymmetrik followed in 2020, creating three hundred forty-two, thirty-five and ten jobs, respectively, with the expectation that more Taiwan-based companies will invest in New Mexico in the years to come; and

     WHEREAS, on July 12, 2013, the president of the United States signed into law H.R.1151, an act supporting Taiwan's participation as an observer in the international civil aviation organization; and

     WHEREAS, on March 18, 2016, the president of the United States signed into law S.2426, an act directing the United States secretary of state to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the international criminal police organization; and

     WHEREAS, on March 26, 2020, the president of the United States signed into law S.1678, an act stating that it should be the policy of the United States to advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership in all international organizations in which statehood is not a requirement and in which the United States is also a participant, and for Taiwan to be granted observer status in other appropriate international organizations; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan has received global recognition as a success story in combating the coronavirus disease 2019, and can provide expertise and humanitarian aid to affected states in the United States, including New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's inclusion in the world health organization could benefit the entire human race; and

     WHEREAS, joint memorials in support of Taiwan's participation in international organizations and United Nations specialized agencies have been introduced in the New Mexico legislature in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019; and

     WHEREAS, the Taiwan Travel Act, enacted on March 16, 2018, allows officials at all levels of the federal government to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts and allows high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico legislators are urged to support the negotiation of a United States and Taiwan bilateral trade agreement and Taiwan's participation in international organizations; and

     WHEREAS, achievements made by New Mexico and Taiwan have been acknowledged in the fields of economy, trade, technology, education and culture since the establishment of their sister-state relations on August 14, 1985; and

     WHEREAS, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico legislators are encouraged to lead delegations to Taiwan to advance bilateral trade and investment opportunities between New Mexico and Taiwan, and tourism, cultural and educational exchange opportunities between New Mexico and Taiwan in the future, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation and trade relations between New Mexico and Taiwan;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support strengthening relations between New Mexico, the United States and Taiwan in trade, the exchange of visits by officials and support of organizations; and

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

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