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Benefits of the US-Taiwan FTA » State by State
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Wisconsin  
The U.S. and Taiwan have shared a close economic and trade partnership over the years. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, bilateral trade reached $61.24 billion in 2006, making Taiwan the 9th largest trading partner for the U.S. Wisconsin exported $259.51 million worth of merchandise to Taiwan in the same year. Wisconsin・s exports to Taiwan encompass a wide range of commodities and industries, including machinery, computer & electronics products, crops processed foods and miscellaneous manufactured products. There remain substantial opportunities for Wisconsin companies to expand their business ties with Taiwan. Accordingly, in the hope of strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan, including business opportunities for Wisconsin, Taiwan has been pushing for the signing of a Taiwan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement .
Wisconsin・s farm production reached $8.26 billion (9th largest in the U.S.) in 2005, including exports amounting to $1.43 billion (14th highest in the U.S.). Meanwhile, Taiwan remains one of the largest importers of U.S. agricultural goods, and the U.S. is Taiwan・s largest supplier of agricultural products. In 2005, a Taiwan procurement mssion signed a letter of intent to purchase 14.5 million metric tons of grain and 6 million pieces of leather in 2006 and 2007. The value of the purchase is expected to reach $3.1 billion, or $400 million more than the last purchase agreement signed in 2003. Judging from this trend, it is clear that Wisconsin farmers would enjoy immediate benefits from the signing of the U.S.-Taiwan FTA, which would eliminate tariffs on most agricultural and industrial products and increase Taiwanese demand for U.S. agricultural products.
The leading manufacturing industries in the state are in machinery, transportation equipment, and food. These industries would benefit from tariff reductions and further trade facilitation made possible by the U.S.-Taiwan FTA. In addition, the signing of the U.S.-Taiwan FTA would also lead to closer investment relations between the U.S. and Taiwan and, accordingly, Wisconsin and Taiwan. Both Taiwan and Wisconsin have an edge in the high-tech arena. Taiwan・s automotive, electronics, biotechnology, communications, and optical industries are moving forward with their respective global strategies. After the signing of the the U.S.-Taiwan FTA, the elimination of tariffs for materials and components and the liberalization of investment and trade facilitation will make Wisconsin even more attractive to Taiwan・s high-tech businesses. the U.S.-Taiwan FTA certainly provides the perfect vehicle to do so.
The level of trade between Taiwan and the U.S. far exceeds that between the U.S. and many of its FTA signatories. For Wisconsin・s farming and manufacturing sectors, the strengthening of Taiwan・s existing relations with the U.S. accordingly translates into real and immediate benefits. In conclusion, it is clear that the signing of the U.S.-Taiwan FTA is good for Wisconsin and good for America.
As of April 2007, the U.S.-Taiwan FTA proposal has been endorsed by a total of 64 legislatures in 38 states, the Council of State Governments and the National Association of Secretaries of State. We hope that the administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Wisconsin will similarly convey strong support for U.S.-Taiwan FTA to the Bush Administration to enhance the economic benefits for both Wisconsin and Taiwan.
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