Amendment to H.R. 1757

    This amendment was included in H.R. 1757, the State Department Authorization bill, which was approved by both the House and Senate but vetoed by the President on 21 October 1998.

Amendment to H.R. 1757

Sec. 1808. Congressional Statement Regarding the Accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization.

(a) FINDINGS.-- The Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The people of the United States and the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan have long enjoyed extensive ties.

(2) Taiwan is currently the 8th largest trading partner of the United States.

(3) The executive branch of Government 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.

(4) 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.

(5) The reversion of control over Hong Kong -- a member of the World Trade Organization -- to the People's Republic of China in many respects affords to the People's Republic of China the practical benefit of membership in the World Trade Organization for a 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 what the United States expects for membership in the World Trade Organization.

(6) The executive branch of Government 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.

(7) Despite having made significant progress in negotiations for its accession to the World Trade Organization, Taiwan has yet to offer acceptable terms of accession in agricultural and certain other market sectors.

(7) It is in the economic interest of United States consumers and exporters for Taiwan to complete those requirements for accession to the World Trade Organization at the earliest possible moment.

(b) CONGRESSIONAL STATEMENT -- The Congress favors public support by officials of the Department of State for the accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization.