IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 56

Favoring strong support by the United States Government for the accession

of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization prior to the admission

of the People’s Republic of China to that Organization.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 21, 1997

Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself, Mr. SOLOMON, Mr. COX of California, Mr.

ROYCE, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. HINCHEY, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the

following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on

Ways and Means

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Favoring strong support by the United States Government

for the accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization prior to the admission of the People’s Republic

of China to that Organization.

Whereas the people of the United States and the people of

the Republic of China on Taiwan have long enjoyed extensive ties;

Whereas Taiwan is currently the 8th largest trading partner

of the United States, and exports from the United States

to Taiwan total more than $18,000,000,000 annually,

nearly twice as much as United States exports to the

People’s Republic of China;
2

•HCON 56 IH

Whereas the executive branch has committed publicly to support Taiwan’s bid to join the World Trade Organization

and has declared that the United States will not oppose

this bid solely on the grounds that the People’s Republic

of China, which also seeks membership in the World

Trade Organization, is not yet eligible because of its unacceptable trade practices;

Whereas the United States and Taiwan have concluded discussions on a variety of outstanding trade issues that remain unresolved with the People’s Republic of China and

that are necessary for the United States to support Taiwan’s membership in the World Trade Organization;

Whereas the reversion of control over Hong Kong—a member

of the World Trade Organization—to the People’s Republic of China, scheduled by treaty to occur on July 1,

1997, will, in many respects, afford to the People’s Republic of China the practical benefit of membership in

the World Trade Organization for the substantial portion

of its trade in goods—despite the fact that the trade

practices of the People’s Republic of China currently fall

far short of qualifying for membership in the World

Trade Organization;

Whereas, while the executive branch has announced its interest in the admission of the People’s Republic of China to

the World Trade Organization, the fundamental sense of

fairness of the people of the United States warrants the

United States Government’s support for Taiwan’s relatively more meritorious application for membership in

the World Trade Organization;

Whereas the World Trade Organization specifically provides

that membership in the World Trade Organization does

not confer statehood status, but rather membership can
3

•HCON 56 IH

also be extended for a regional economy as will be the

case for Hong Kong after July 1, 1997; and

Whereas it is in the economic interests of United States consumers and exporters for Taiwan to complete the requirements for accession to the World Trade Organization at

the earliest possible moment: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress favors public support by

3 the United States Government for the accession of Taiwan

4 to the World Trade Organization prior to the admission

5 of the People’s Republic of China to that Organization.

Æ