(1) The friendship between the United States 
and the Republic of Turkey dates back to 1831, 
when the United States formed diplomatic ties with 
the Ottoman Empire. 
(2) Modern diplomatic relations between the 
United States and Turkey date back nearly a cen-
tury to 1927. 
(3) Turkey has been a member country of the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 
1952. 
(4) Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, 
constitutional republic, with an ancient cultural her-
itage and westward-looking future. 
(5) Turkey is the 18th largest economy in the 
world and a founding member of the Organisation 
for 
Economic 
Co-operation 
and 
Development 
(OECD), World Trade Organization (WTO), and 
the Group of Twenty (G–20). 
(6) Turkey continues to be a critical strategic 
ally to the United States as a Western Eurasian 
country adjacent to Iran, Iraq, and Syria. 
(7) The economic viability of Turkey brings es-
sential strength and stability to the region. 
(8) Turkey is currently a party to 18 free trade 
agreements, 16 of them entered into force over the 
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past 15 years, during which time Turkey’s Gross 
Domestic Product has more than tripled. 
(9) Turkey’s trade volume with the European 
Union is $150 billion as of 2014 while Turkey’s 
trade volume with the United States is only $19.4 
billion, reflecting a tremendous growth opportunity. 
(10) From 2001 to 2014, Turkey’s imports 
posted a 584-percent increase and imports from free 
trade agreement countries increased by 537 percent. 
(11) Turkey is in negotiations to enter into free 
trade agreements with several additional partners, 
including Japan, Mexico, Singapore, MERCOSUR, 
and the Gulf Cooperation Council. 
(12) United States exports account for 5.3 per-
cent of goods that enter Turkey. 
(13) There is significant opportunity to improve 
the free flow of goods and services between the 
United States and Turkey. 
(14) Closer relations with Turkey through free 
trade agreements would encourage further privatiza-
tion in Turkey’s economy. 
(15) A free trade agreement between the 
United States and Turkey will foster economic and 
commercial cooperation and strengthen ties with 
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Turkey, increase bilateral investment opportunities, 
and contribute to jobs created for American workers. 
SEC. 3. NEGOTIATIONS TO SEEK TO ENTER INTO A BILAT-
ERAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE 
REPUBLIC OF TURKEY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the United States Trade Representative 
shall initiate negotiations with the Government of the Re-
public of Turkey to seek to enter into a bilateral free trade 
agreement with Turkey that, among other things, pro-
motes the exportation and importation of natural re-
sources, including coal, between the United States and 
Turkey. 
Æ 
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