HCON 335 IH

Expressing the sense of Congress that if the People's Republic of China attacks, invades, or imposes a blockade on Taiwan, the United States will respond vigorously, including but not limited to revoking normal trade relations.

May 24, 2000

Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr. COX) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Expressing the sense of Congress that if the People's Republic of China attacks, invades, or imposes a blockade on Taiwan, the United States will respond vigorously, including but not limited to revoking normal trade relations.

Whereas article XXI of the GATT 1994 (as defined in section 2(1)(B) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3501(1)(B)) allows a member of the World Trade Organization to take `any action which it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests,' particularly `in time of war or other emergency in international relations'; and

Whereas an attack on, invasion of, or blockade of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China would constitute a threat to the essential security interests of the United States and an emergency in international relations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that if the People's Republic of China attacks, invades, or imposes a blockade on Taiwan, then pursuant to article XXI of the GATT 1994 and existing statutory authority including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the United States should and would immediately revoke nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) for the products of the People's Republic of China, and should and would immediately respond with all economic and military measures necessary in such circumstances.

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