[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 236 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 236

 Recognizing the importance of the United States-Japan partnership and 
 supporting the pursuit of closer trade ties between the United States 
                               and Japan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 30, 2017

 Mr. Smith of Nebraska (for himself, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Tiberi, Ms. Jenkins 
   of Kansas, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Bost, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. 
 Marshall, Mr. Paulsen, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and Mrs. Wagner) submitted 
 the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways 
                               and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the importance of the United States-Japan partnership and 
 supporting the pursuit of closer trade ties between the United States 
                               and Japan.

Whereas the United States and Japan are allies with a tradition of working in 
        close cooperation to support one another's mutual interests;
Whereas the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States 
        of America and Japan, signed at Washington on January 19, 1960, which 
        has fostered one of the most important and longest enduring military 
        alliances, demonstrates the proclivity for strong bilateral agreements 
        between our two nations;
Whereas Secretary of Defense James Mattis, on February 3, 2017, reaffirmed the 
        commitment of the United States to uphold the provisions of the Treaty 
        of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America 
        and Japan and stated that the United States will continue to stand 
        ``shoulder to shoulder'' with the Japanese people;
Whereas Japan is a key partner to the United States in ensuring regional 
        stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including by--

    (1) countering the threat from North Korea's illegal nuclear weapons 
program;

    (2) advancing maritime security initiatives; and

    (3) promoting economic security through continued development;

Whereas Japan is the world's third largest economy, the fourth largest trading 
        partner of the United States, and the second largest foreign direct 
        investor in the United States;
Whereas expanding United States trade with Japan has the potential to benefit 
        American businesses, farmers, ranchers, workers, and consumers;
Whereas Japan already represents the fifth-largest market for agricultural 
        products worldwide, amounting to almost $14 trillion in exports 
        annually, and this amount could increase significantly with reduced 
        trade barriers and a more open United States-Japan trade relationship;
Whereas a strong and economically vibrant Japan is vital to the stability of the 
        Asia-Pacific region, which is in the strategic interest of the United 
        States;
Whereas the Joint Statement from President Trump and Prime Minister Abe, 
        released on February 10, 2017, reaffirmed the importance of deepening 
        trade and investment relations, which would ``include discussions 
        between the United States and Japan on a bilateral framework'';
Whereas the February 10, 2017, Joint Statement also ``pledged to explore how to 
        best accomplish [the] shared objective'' of ``both deepening their trade 
        and investment relations and of their continued efforts in promoting 
        trade, economic growth, and high standards throughout the Asia-Pacific 
        region'';
Whereas Japan shares the commitment of the United States to the promotion of 
        free market and democratic principles in the Asia-Pacific region and 
        worldwide;
Whereas if the United States steps back from the Asia-Pacific region, other 
        countries, such as the People's Republic of China, which do not share 
        our values, could fill the void;
Whereas the American need for economic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region is 
        underscored by China's participation in the negotiation of the Regional 
        Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with 15 other countries in the 
        region, including major United States trading partners such as Japan, 
        but not the United States; and
Whereas the voluntary exchange of goods and services among citizens of nations 
        helps provide global economic stability, especially in times of economic 
        uncertainty: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls upon the President to consult with the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate in keeping with the consultation 
        requirements of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities 
        and Accountability Act of 2015 (title I of Public Law 114-26; 
        19 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.) to consider opportunities to promote 
        further economic and commercial activity and cooperation 
        between the United States and Japan, including by way of a 
        trade agreement between the United States and Japan;
            (2) calls upon the President to invite Japan to begin 
        discussions toward establishing the basis for closer trade ties 
        between the United States and Japan, in keeping with the 
        consultation requirements of such Act;
            (3) recalls that section 103(d) of such Act (19 U.S.C. 
        4202(d)) directs the President to commence negotiations 
        covering tariff and nontariff barriers to United States trade 
        where the President determines that such negotiations are 
        feasible and timely and would benefit the United States;
            (4) recalls further that section 102 of such Act (19 U.S.C. 
        4201) sets forth the trade negotiating objectives of the United 
        States and further expects that these congressionally mandated 
        negotiating objectives will be achieved in any trade agreement 
        between the United States and Japan; and
            (5) urges the President, throughout discussions with Japan 
        and in close consultation with the House of Representatives and 
        the Senate, to determine whether negotiation of a trade 
        agreement with Japan would be likely to achieve the negotiating 
        objectives established by such Act and, if such negotiation 
        would be likely to achieve such objectives, to commence 
        negotiations toward a trade agreement with Japan as soon as 
        appropriate.
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