"America needs to remain open for business to the
95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United
States. American workers cannot afford
for us to hang up a ‘Closed for Business’ sign. The United States
must be in the game and not on the sidelines as other nations negotiate deals
that disadvantage our businesses, farmers, ranchers and service providers.
Our trading partners and competitors are already negotiating and closing trade
deals around the world. At least 100 regional trade agreements have
gone into force since 2002 and more than 100 are under negotiation.
The President – indeed every President – should have TPA to ensure that the
United
States can best advance our country’s trade
interests.
President Bush has used Trade Promotion Authority to open
new markets for American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service
providers. With TPA, the United
States was at the negotiating table, and able to reaffirm
U.S. leadership in expanding
the free and fair flow of commerce around the world to the benefit of the
U.S. economy.
U.S. exports to the ten
countries with which we have implemented FTAs since 2001 have increased nearly
twice as fast as U.S. exports to the rest of the world
(25% vs. 13%). These exports have contributed to solid economic growth and
job creation. Our agreements also provide American workers and their
families a wider range of affordable products.
The Bush Administration and Congressional leaders have
found a bipartisan path forward for Congressional approval of FTAs with
Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Korea. I am hopeful this spirit
of cooperation will guide our efforts to renew TPA, as President Bush requested
in January, to keep the United States at the table
negotiating for the continued benefit of the American people.”
