•HRES 278 IH 
on fire to protest corruption and a lack of economic op-
portunities; 
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 Presi-
dent Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 
14, 2011, after more than 23 years of authoritarian rule; 
Whereas the political transition became known as the ‘‘Jas-
mine Revolution’’ and sparked the Arab Spring through-
out Northern Africa and the Middle East; 
Whereas, on January 26, 2014, Tunisia’s National Con-
stituent Assembly adopted a new constitution; 
Whereas national elections were held on October 26, 2014, to 
select a 217-seat Assembly of the Representatives of the 
People; 
Whereas, on December 31, 2014, Beji Caid Essebsi was 
sworn into office as Tunisia’s first freely elected Presi-
dent; 
Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised 
by international election observers; 
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 encour-
aging women’s socioeconomic freedoms; 
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•HRES 278 IH 
Whereas unrest, political uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring 
Libya, and economic crisis in Europe have contributed to 
severe economic difficulties in Tunisia; 
Whereas it is estimated that Tunisia’s economic growth was 
2.3 percent in 2014 and will be 2.7 percent in 2015; 
Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary con-
cern for most Tunisians; 
Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people 
are not realized, the potential for anti-democratic or ex-
tremist forces to exploit 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 through trade negotiations 
would encourage greater reform, including the protection 
of intellectual property, and build its capacity to mod-
ernize and liberalize its economy, as well as provide max-
imum leverage to facilitate the implementation of strong 
labor, environmental, and human rights protections; 
Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in Tu-
nisia is in the interest of the United States and would 
fuel both economic and democratic development through-
out Northern Africa and the Middle East; 
Whereas prior to the Jasmine Revolution, the United States 
was Tunisia’s fifth-largest trading partner; 
Whereas in 2014 exports from the United States to Tunisia 
were $850,000,000 and imports from Tunisia into the 
United States were $521,200,000; 
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•HRES 278 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; 
Whereas the United States and Tunisia have re-launched ne-
gotiations for a Trade and Investment Framework Agree-
ment (TIFA); and 
Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Or-
ganization since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that the United States should initiate negotia-
tions to enter into a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 
Æ 
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