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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 440 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 440

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the benefits 
of global trade improve the lives of Americans and American communities 
   by fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 24, 2023

 Mr. Allred 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 benefits 
of global trade improve the lives of Americans and American communities 
   by fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy.

Whereas international trade provides numerous benefits to American businesses 
        and people by helping to raise living standards and provide affordable 
        goods and services, supporting good jobs, and fueling economic growth;
Whereas, in 2022, the Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated exports and imports 
        of goods and services combined were equivalent to 27 percent of gross 
        domestic product;
Whereas, in 2021, exports alone support 9,053,000 United States jobs;
Whereas small- and medium-sized businesses account for around 98 percent of 
        United States exporting companies and account for nearly one third of 
        all United States exports;
Whereas the establishment of strong bilateral and plurilateral trade relations 
        with other countries is of national interest;
Whereas ``friendshoring'' can create more resilient supply chains by helping to 
        ensure that trade flow to and from the United States are not disrupted 
        significantly;
Whereas free trade agreements (FTAs) reduce and remove barriers for American 
        goods and services in countries that have FTAs with the United States;
Whereas countries with FTAs with the United States represent 6 percent of the 
        world's population;
Whereas the Constitution gives Congress the primary authority to regulate 
        international trade;
Whereas Congress along with the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, the 
        Treasury, and State, along with the United States Agency for 
        International Development, the International Trade Commission, and the 
        Office of the United States Trade Representative have a role fostering 
        the trade environment of the United States that works for American 
        businesses and workers;
Whereas the World Trade Organization provides the foundation for the global 
        trade system based on creating and enforcing rules which reduce 
        obstacles and help to ensure a level playing field;
Whereas multilateral organizations, like the World Trade Organization, provide a 
        forum for nations to resolve their trade disputes peacefully and in an 
        internationally recognized fashion;
Whereas the Department of Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security 
        maintain and enforce our Nation's trade remedy laws, ensuring that 
        American businesses, workers, and manufacturers are not being undercut 
        by unfair trade practices;
Whereas the Secretaries of Commerce and the Treasury license and regulate the 
        foreign-trade zones which provide special custom's procedures for 
        companies and supply chains, and keep jobs in the United States;
Whereas the Department of Commerce also aims to promote United States exports, 
        including by maintaining United States Export Assistance Centers around 
        the country which assist small- and medium-sized businesses with the 
        process of exporting, including understanding foreign markets, and 
        locating foreign buyers;
Whereas the Department of Commerce's Foreign Commercial Service works with both 
        the government and the private sector to promote United States exports 
        and protect United States commercial interests abroad; and
Whereas the Export-Import Bank of the United States is backed by the full faith 
        and credit of the United States Government and provides United States 
        exporters needed loans to facilitate export activities, or by providing 
        liquidity enabling United States business to accept new business, 
        international sales, and compete in the international marketplace: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports international trade for its critical role in 
        the health of the United States economy, which is of vital 
        national interest;
            (2) continues to work with the appropriate trade agencies 
        to ensure that American businesses, American workers, and 
        American consumers benefit from rules-based trade;
            (3) continues to work, where appropriate, with the 
        executive agencies to address unfair foreign trade practices;
            (4) continues to work with the appropriate agencies to 
        shore up supply chains and move them into more reliable regions 
        and nations; and
            (5) directs, where appropriate, the United States Trade 
        Representative to negotiate trade agreements with allied 
        nations that are beneficial to the United States.
                                 <all>
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