Manufacturers Say Free Trade Agreements will create jobs.
Press Release Summary:
In his statement following President Obama's transmission of free trade agreements (FTA) with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama to Congress for approval, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons gave his thanks and urged both House and Senate "to move as quickly as possible so manufacturers can begin to create much-needed jobs." "Now is the time to help manufacturers in the United States remain competitive," said Timmons, who also pointed out free trade agreements as part of the solution.
Original Press Release:
Manufacturers: Free Trade Agreements Will Create Jobs
Congress Must Act Swiftly to Pass Agreements
Washington, D.C. - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued this statement after President Obama transmitted the free trade agreements (FTA) with Colombia, South Korea and Panama to Congress for approval:
"For too long, we have remained on the sidelines while our competitors overseas have negotiated new agreements with partners all over the world, costing manufacturers valuable market share that is difficult to regain. Now is the time to help manufacturers in the United States remain competitive. Businesses are looking to Washington for pro-growth policies.
With a stagnant economy and unemployment still above 9 percent, these three agreements will provide our economy with a much-needed economic boost to create jobs. The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that the agreements will increase exports by $13 billion, which comes at a critical time in our recovery.
We cannot lose sight that free trade agreements are part of the solution, not the problem. Our nation has had a manufactured goods trade surplus with our free trade partners that has accumulated to more than $70 billion over the past three years. We must continue to negotiate new free trade agreements to meet the goal of doubling exports by 2014. Dozens of agreements are being negotiated all over the world right now, and we are party to only one.
We thank President Obama for sending the agreements to Congress and we urge the House and the Senate to move as quickly as possible so manufacturers can begin to create much-needed jobs."
-NAM-
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.
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National Association of Manufacturers, 1331 Pennslyvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20004 United States
