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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 712 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 712

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
  States should initiate negotiations to enter into a bilateral free 
           trade agreement with the Republic of South Africa.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 1, 2014

Mr. Rush submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
  States should initiate negotiations to enter into a bilateral free 
           trade agreement with the Republic of South Africa.

Whereas South Africa is the 34th largest economy in the world and is a member of 
        the Group of Twenty (G-20) and in a ``enhanced engagement'' partnership 
        with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
Whereas South Africa has signed 12 trade agreements with several countries and 
        the European Free Trade Association, 4 of which are free trade 
        agreements;
Whereas South Africa has concluded two trade agreements with the United States 
        as well as successfully participated in the Generalized System of 
        Preferences (GSP) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA);
Whereas United States exports to South Africa totaled $10 billion in 2012;
Whereas South Africa is currently the United States 38th largest trading partner 
        for goods with $15.8 billion in total trade in goods in 2013;
Whereas South Africa was the United States 36th largest export market for goods 
        in 2013;
Whereas the amount of United States exports of goods to South Africa in 2013 was 
        $7.3 billion, an increase of 159 percent from 2003;
Whereas United States exports of agricultural products to South Africa totaled 
        $295 million in 2013 with leading categories including dairy products, 
        wheat, planting seeds, and poultry;
Whereas the amount of United States exports of private commercial services 
        (excluding military and government) to South Africa was $2.7 billion in 
        2012, an increase of 115 percent from 2002 levels;
Whereas South Africa is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic, 
        with a proud heritage that shares many of the fundamental values of the 
        United States;
Whereas South Africa is the largest, most diversified, highly industrialized 
        economy in Africa;
Whereas the average per capita income in South Africa is among the highest of 
        African countries; and
Whereas closer relations with South Africa through free trade agreements would 
        encourage further privatization in South Africa's economy: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a 
bilateral free trade agreement with the Republic of South Africa.
                                 <all>
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