[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 506--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
 UNITED STATES SHOULD INITIATE NEGOTIATIONS TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE 
                 AGREEMENT WITH THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA

  Mr. MURPHY (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance:

                              S. Res. 506

       Whereas Tunisia has been developing its democratic and 
     market-economy institutions since its democratic revolution 
     in 2011;
       Whereas the people of the United States and Tunisia share 
     core values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, and 
     the rule of law;
       Whereas the democratically elected Government of Tunisia 
     has committed to combat corruption and increase transparency 
     and accountability in government institutions, and should 
     continue to work toward these important goals;
       Whereas the Government of Tunisia has implemented a number 
     of economic reforms intended to encourage entrepreneurship 
     and small business development, particularly in its tax and 
     regulatory regimes, and has passed new laws on investment, 
     public-private partnerships, and bankruptcy;
       Whereas the efforts of the Government of Tunisia to reduce 
     its budget deficit by tightening government spending, 
     reforming domestic subsidies for fuel and foodstuffs, and 
     allowing its currency to devalue through more exchange rate 
     flexibility have arguably caused economic hardships for many 
     families;
       Whereas strong economic growth and investment would help 
     provide the necessary resources to reduce unemployment in 
     Tunisia, as well as to further strengthen democratic 
     institutions and solidify public support for democratic 
     governance;
       Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in the 
     Middle East and North Africa is in the interest of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the political evolution of Tunisia stands as an 
     inspiration for citizens of other states aspiring to 
     establish the institutions of democracy after a history of 
     autocratic rule;
       Whereas Tunisia continues to face serious threats to its 
     security from violent extremist groups operating within the 
     country as well as in neighboring countries;
       Whereas, in July 2015, the United States designated Tunisia 
     as a major non-NATO ally;
       Whereas the Government of Tunisia has committed a 
     significant portion of its budget to defense and interior 
     ministries for counterterrorism in recent years, at the 
     expense of economic and social development;
       Whereas Tunisia faces economic challenges, including high 
     inflation and high unemployment, especially among young 
     Tunisians and college graduates;
       Whereas the United States is committed to continuing a 
     strong economic partnership with Tunisia as its government 
     undertakes reforms to transform its economy to meet the 
     aspirations of all of the citizens of Tunisia;
       Whereas closer engagement with Tunisia through trade 
     negotiations would encourage even greater reform in Tunisia 
     and build its capacity to further modernize and develop its 
     economy;
       Whereas the United States is Tunisia's 7th largest trading 
     partner;
       Whereas bilateral trade between Tunisia and the United 
     States has increased from $949,000,000 in 2011 to 
     $1,200,000,000 in 2018, according to the United States Census 
     Bureau;
       Whereas the United States and Tunisia held the 8th round of 
     Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks in May 
     2019;
       Whereas Tunisia is a member of the World Trade 
     Organization;
       Whereas Tunisia is currently eligible for preferential duty 
     treatment under the United States Generalized System of 
     Preferences program;
       Whereas the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and 
     Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA) (title I of Public Law 114-
     26) includes provisions to require that a trading partner 
     adopt, implement, and enforce its own labor statutes, and 
     that those statutes include internationally recognized core 
     labor standards; and
       Whereas, pursuant to the Bipartisan Congressional Trade 
     Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA), Congress has 
     mandated that the President provide a 90-day notification of 
     intent to begin trade negotiations and established principal 
     negotiating objectives, which include that parties to a trade 
     agreement combat corruption, trade in goods and services 
     obtain competitive opportunities for export, and labor 
     provisions are subject to the same dispute settlement 
     procedures as all other obligations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the 
     United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a 
     free trade agreement with Tunisia.

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