US senators Max Baucus and Jon Kyl submitted a joint proposal to the Finance Committee yesterday, demanding that the US government begins its talks with Taiwan on a free trade agreement (FTA).
Many Asian countries hope to sign an FTA with Washington before US President George W. Bush's trade promotion authority expires in July next year.
Taiwan has also boosted its efforts recently, hoping to reach an agreement with the US as soon as possible.
Bush signed the Trade Act of 2002, in which Congress granted him trade promotion authority. This gives the US president the power to negotiate international trade agreements, which Congress can then approve or reject, but cannot amend.
US lawmakers who are friendly to Taiwan began to take action last month. Two proposals on a Taiwan-US FTA were also submitted to the House of Representatives last month. Their proponents hope the proposals can be passed before the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourn in late June.
A delegation of Democratic Progressive Party legislators is currently in the US visiting US congressmen in a bid to gain their support for the agreement, as well as Taiwan's participation in international health organizations.
According to DPP Legislator Charles Chiang (江昭儀), the reaction of most US senators and representatives has been positive.
He said he hoped the US side would be able to understand the significance of the agreement to both sides and take action soon.
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