Robert Torricelli: “the months ahead will require a number of important decisions regarding the continuing evolution of U.S. policy in the…”

“the months ahead will require a number of important decisions regarding the continuing evolution of U.S. policy in the region of the Taiwan Straits. Today, I am submitting a concurrent resolution to help clarify long-standing U.S. commitments in this regard. While the Clinton Administration and Congress attempt to improve relations with the communist authorities in Beijing, it is important for Congress to make clear the depth of the bipartisan commitment to the burgeoning democratic forces on Taiwan. Any improvement in U.S. relations with Taiwan, does not and should not come at the expense of our ties with the people of Taiwan. The U.S. must renew our past commitments to the people of Taiwan. For example, as a result of the Taiwan Policy Review throughout 1993 and 1994 and the balance of 1994, the Clinton Administration publicly pledged to support Taiwan's membership in appropriate international organizations. In this regard, few are as important as the World Trade Organization. Taiwan is currently the U.S.'s fifth largest trading partner and U.S. exports to Taiwan total more than $17 billion annually. This sum is almost twice as much as U.S. exports to the P.R.C. Our trade with the People's Republic has produced a crushing $39 billion deficit last year. The Clinton Administration is publicly committed to supporting Taiwan's bid to join the World Trade Organization.”