SJR18 Summary

• Alabama Legislature urges Congress to support negotiations for a comprehensive, high-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement involving the United States, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Vietnam, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, and Peru.

• TPP is structured to include tariff liberalization on all lines with standards higher than the World Trade Organization, and addresses intellectual property rights, government procurement, e-commerce, and dispute settlement.

• TPP expected to boost U.S. exports by up to $25 billion annually and increase real U.S. income by 1.2 percent according to a 2008 University of Michigan study.

• Agreement would provide new market access opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, service providers, and small businesses, and improve bilateral economic relations with Japan, the 4th largest U.S. trading partner.

• Resolution directs copies be forwarded to the President, U.S. Senate Finance Committee, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, U.S. Trade Representative, Secretary of Commerce, and Alabama Congressional Delegation.