Whereas, on November 22, 2015, the citizens of the Argentine Republic elected Mauricio Macri as their President; Whereas President Macri has pledged to promote greater national unity, rebuild the economy, combat domestic corruption, strengthen freedom of the press, defend human rights abroad, attract foreign direct investment, return to international credit markets, and reassert Argentina's leadership globally; Whereas President Macri has emphasized his intention to seek closer ties with the United States and restore the bilateral partnership previously enjoyed by both countries; Whereas the Argentine Republic is a major non-NATO ally of the United States; Whereas United States-Argentina relations are historically characterized by comprehensive commercial ties and strong bilateral cooperation on human rights, peacekeeping, science and technology, non-proliferation, and education, as well as on regional and global issues; Whereas President Obama traveled to Argentina in March 2016 to strengthen engagement on issues of bilateral interest, such as trade, investment, energy, security, and peacekeeping Whereas, in an appearance with President Macri at the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires, President Obama said that our countries share profound values in common—respect for human rights, for individual freedoms, for democracy, for justice, and for peace ; Whereas the United States Department of the Treasury no longer opposes multilateral development banks lending to Argentina because of the Government of Argentina's progress on key issues and positive economic policy trajectory ; Whereas President Macri prioritized Argentina resolving its 15-year standoff with private creditors stemming from the 2001–2002 economic crisis; Whereas the Macri Administration lifted controls on trade, currency, and poultry, enhanced the quality and transparency of government data, and eliminated subsidies on electricity, water, and gas