IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 248 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States 

should initiate preparatory work to begin negotiations to enter into 

a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 1, 2015 

Mr. PAULSEN 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 preparatory work to 

begin negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement 

with Tunisia. 

Whereas the Arab Spring has swept through Northern Africa 

and the Middle East, creating the greatest opportunity in 

more than a generation for true democratic development 

in the region; 

Whereas the resulting upheaval also creates enormous potential for instability, violence, and power vacuums that 

could be exploited by anti-democratic or extremist forces; 

Whereas a key influence that drove protests came from 

Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who set himself on 


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•HRES 248 IH 

fire to protest police interference and a lack of economic 

opportunities; 

Whereas Mr. Bouazizi’s death in December 2010 became a 

rallying cry for more democracy and economic freedom in 

Tunisia; 

Whereas demonstrations by the Tunisian people forced President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 

14, 2011, after over 23 years of authoritarian rule; 

Whereas the political transition became known as the ‘‘Jasmine Revolution’’; 

Whereas national elections were held on October 23, 2011, to 

select a 217-seat National Constituent Assembly; 

Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised 

by international election observers; 

Whereas 54 percent of eligible voters participated in the election; 

Whereas over 11,600 candidates participated in the election; 

Whereas disputes over reform priorities, economic crisis, 

labor unrest, regional tension, and lingering insecurity 

are continuing challenges; 

Whereas Tunisia exhibits a number of unique attributes in its 

region, such as a relatively small territory, a sizable and 

well-educated middle class, and a long history of encouraging women’s socioeconomic freedoms; 

Whereas many view Tunisia as a ‘‘test case’’ for democratic 

transitions in its region; 

Whereas damage from the December 2010–January 2011 unrest, political uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring Libya, 

and economic crisis in Europe have contributed to severe 

economic difficulties in Tunisia; 


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•HRES 248 IH 

Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has carried out attacks in Tunisia and poses an increasing 

threat to the stability of the nation; 

Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary concern for most Tunisians; 

Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people 

are not realized, the potential for anti-democratic or extremist forces to exploit the current instability will only 

be magnified; 

Whereas strong, sustained economic growth and development 

would provide the necessary resources for Tunisia to 

build democratic institutions and solidify public support 

for democratic governance, as well as ensure strong labor, 

environmental, and human rights protections; 

Whereas engagement with Tunisia in preparation for trade 

negotiations would encourage greater reform, including 

the protection of intellectual property, and build its capacity to modernize and liberalize its economy, as well as 

provide maximum leverage to facilitate the implementation of strong labor, environmental, and human rights 

protections; 

Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in the 

Arab world is in the interest of the United States and 

would fuel both economic and democratic development 

throughout the region; 

Whereas in 2013, the United States was Tunisia’s third largest trading partner; 

Whereas United States exports to Tunisia were $850 million 

and United States imports from Tunisia were $521 million in 2014; 


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•HRES 248 IH 

Whereas Tunisia is an important market for United States 

grain, seeds, and cereal exports; 

Whereas Tunisia is an important source of oil, fats and food 

oils, and textiles for the United States; and 

Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that the United States should initiate pre3 paratory work to begin negotiations to enter into a free 

4 trade agreement with Tunisia. 

Æ 


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