Resolution on the Importance of Pursuing Comprehensive Trade Agreements with Trusted Trading Partners

Model Bill Info
Bill Title	Resolution on the Importance of Pursuing Comprehensive Trade Agreements with Trusted Trading Partners
Date Introduced	July 26, 2024
Date Finalized	August 30, 2024
Type	Model Resolution
Status	Final
Task Forces	Federalism, International Relations and Homeland Security
Keywords	Intellectual Property; International Trade; International Relations

Resolution on the Importance of Pursuing Comprehensive Trade Agreements with Trusted Trading Partners

WHEREAS, Americans are deeply concerned with job creation, economic stability, and expanding economic prosperity throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, international trade is a critical engine of growth for the U.S. economy; and

WHEREAS, the U.S exported more than $3 trillion in goods and services accounting for 11.2 percent of our Gross Domestic Product in 2023; and

WHEREAS, U.S. trade supports nearly 41.5 million jobs, such that one in every five U.S. jobs is linked to exports and imports of goods and services; and

WHEREAS, studies have demonstrated that the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers through U.S. trade agreements has increased aggregate U.S. economic output, productivity, employment, and wages for American workers; and

WHEREAS, the United States lacks comprehensive free trade agreements with important allies such as, but not limited to, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, which are major U.S. trading partners; and

WHEREAS, these important U.S. allies share the United States’ commitment to open markets, the rule of law, and the protection of intellectual property rights; and

WHEREAS, major foreign competitors are actively negotiating free trade agreements that exclude the United States, placing U.S. firms, exports, and workers at a competitive disadvantage in global markets; and

WHEREAS, the United States must play a leadership role in shaping the rules of the global economy to further U.S. economic and strategic interests; and

WHEREAS, removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade between the United States and its allies supports U.S. exports, competitiveness, and the diversification and strengthening of key supply chains; and

WHEREAS, increasing protection of U.S. intellectual property rights abroad promotes U.S. exports and is crucial to America’s innovation-based economy and technological leadership; and

WHEREAS, comprehensive trade agreements can benefit U.S. workers across industries and sectors by addressing market access barriers for goods and services and promoting intellectual property protection, digital trade, investment, good regulatory practices, and other important priorities;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the state of [INSERT STATE] calls on the Office of the United States Trade Representative to pursue comprehensive trade agreements with trusted trading partners such as, but not limited to, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the Directors of the National Economic Council and the National Security Council, to the Secretary of Commerce, and to the Secretary of State.