[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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