IV 
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 Develop-
ment (OECD); 
Whereas South Africa has signed 12 trade agreements with 
several countries and the European Free Trade Associa-
tion, 4 of which are free trade agreements; 
Whereas South Africa has concluded two trade agreements 
with the United States as well as successfully partici-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
03:02 Aug 05, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR712.IH
HR712
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 712 IH 
pated 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 ex-
port 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 com-
mercial 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, con-
stitutional 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 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
03:02 Aug 05, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR712.IH
HR712
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 712 IH 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that the United States should initiate negotia-
tions to enter into a bilateral free trade agreement with 
the Republic of South Africa. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
03:02 Aug 05, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR712.IH
HR712
jbell on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS