NAM welcomes USTR focus on small and medium-sized exporters.
Press Release Summary:
NAM welcomed announcement by Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on appointment and creation of new position of Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business, calling move major step to help small and medium manufacturers engage in global markets. According to Frank Vargo, NAM VP for International Economic Affairs, Jim Sanford is the perfect choice for this position as he handles manufacturing and market access portfolio at USTR.
Original Press Release:
NAM Welcomes USTR Focus on Small and Medium-Sized Exporters
NAM Members Call For Action on Pending Trade Agreements
Washington, - The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) welcomed today's announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on the appointment and creation of a new position of Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business, calling the move "a major step to help small and medium manufacturers engage in global markets."
"Jim Sanford is the perfect choice for this position to help small and medium manufacturers in trade policy, as he handles the manufacturing and market access portfolio at USTR," said NAM Vice President for International Economic Affairs Frank Vargo. "The bulk of small business exports are manufactured goods, and market access problems are the biggest trade policy problem facing small and medium-sized manufacturers who export.
"Small and medium-size companies comprise the bulk of U.S. manufacturers and are an engine for job creation. Having an advocate in USTR will enhance their ability to compete in the global economy and create jobs," he said.
The announcement was made by the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk, at a special trade conference in Washington, D.C. today: "Jobs on Main Street; Customers Around the World." The NAM and the Coalition of Services Industries were the key private sector participants to organize the conference.
Three of the panelists at the conference were NAM members: Drew Greenblatt, president, Marlin Wire Products, Baltimore, MD; Roy Paulson, CEO, Paulson Manufacturing, Temecula, CA; and Chuck Wetherington, president, BTE Technologies, Hanover, MD. Stressing the importance of trade promotion agreements to smaller companies, the NAM members called on the Administration to generate jobs by obtaining immediate Congressional approval of the three pending trade promotion agreements with Colombia, Korea, and Panama.
"The NAM has a close working relationship with the U.S. Commerce Department in promoting increased exports by small and medium-sized manufacturers. We look forward to an equally close relationship with USTR to help smaller companies engage in global markets," Vargo said.
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Visit www.nam.org.
