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Wexler
Writes to ITC
May
22, 2002
The
Honorable Steve Koplon
Chairman
United States International Trade Commission
500 E Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20436
Dear
Mr. Chairman
As
Co-Chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I am writing
to you concerning the fact-finding investigation now in
progress at the United States International Trade Commission
(USITC) on the likely economic impact of a free trade agreement
between the United States and Taiwan (Investigation No.
332-438).
As
you know, Taiwan has been one of America's most important
trading partners for many years. Incredibly, Taiwan has
only 23 million people yet is the 10th largest
export market overall for the United States and the 5th
largest US export for agricultural products. American businesses
and workers have benefitted greatly from this dynamic trade
relationship. In my home state of Florida export shipments
to Taiwan in 2001 were valued at $158 million, with computer
and electronic products, machinery and chemicals among the
leading categories. In addition, Florida has become a top
tourist destination for visitors from Taiwan.
As
a strong supporter for upgrading our overall trade relations
with Taiwan, I believe that the proposed free trade agreement
between the United States and Taiwan merits careful evaluation
and deserves strong support. I am encouraged that the USITC's
study should help to document the ways in which the US and
Taiwanese economies are closely interlinked, such as in
the computer and electronics sector. Likewise, the report
will help Members of Congress and the Bush administration
understand the ways in which both economies are evolving,
so we can use the free trade agreement to find new opportunities
for US producers, workers and farmers.
Mr.
Chairman, while Taiwan is an important US market in its
own right, it also provides an extraordinary opportunity
for US investors to expand their presence in Asia through
business partnerships with Taiwanese firms. I am convinced
that a proposed free trade agreement will help US entrepreneurs
take advantage of many new opportunities both in Taiwan
and throughout Asia.
I
look forward to reviewing the results of the study and to
examine how the U.S. and Taiwan can use the proposed free
trade agreement to the mutual advantage of both peoples.
With
warm regards,
Robert
Wexler
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