; and (ii) the Secretary of State shall use the voice and vote of the United States in any appropriate multilateral forum to pressure the government of that country to take the actions necessary to come into compliance with the eligibility requirements under subsection (c). (B) Rule of construction The suspension of the participation of a country in a partnership agreement under paragraph (1) may not be construed to affect the relationship of that country to any country, other than the United States, that is a party or a potential party to the USMCA. (d) Initial partner countries The first countries with which the Secretary of State shall seek to enter into partnership agreements under subsection (a) shall be countries identified under the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) executive program that are not ineligible under subsection (a)(4). (e) Countries seeking partnership agreements (1) Notification A country seeking to enter into a partnership agreement under subsection (a) shall submit a notification to the Secretary of State indicating the desire of the country to enter into such an agreement. (2) Response (A) In general Not later than 180 days after receiving a notification under paragraph (1) from a country, the Secretary shall— (i) make a determination with respect to whether or not to enter into a partnership agreement with the country