New York, N.Y., January 25, 2012 – Peter M. Robinson, president and CEO of the United States Council for International Business, issued the following statement on last night’s State of the Union Address by President Obama:
We welcome the President’s call for closer international cooperation and expanded trade in support of American jobs and economic growth. The business community, including the U.S.-based global companies that make up the core of USCIB’s membership, is contributing actively to this cause already through exports, R&D and other measures to increase our competitiveness in fast-growing overseas markets.
We support efforts to enable companies to hire more workers in the United States. We were encouraged that the President chose to highlight the contributions of both exports and foreign investment to growing our economy and jobs base. Similarly, it is important to recognize that when U.S-based companies succeed on the world stage, this too is good for U.S. workers, shareholders and communities.
U.S. businesses now operate in a world of highly competitive, multi-country supply chains. Their success serving overseas markets drives employment, R&D and growth at home. The Administration and Congress must take steps to recognize the benefits of both inbound and outbound investment to our economy, support such investments, and avoid measures that penalize companies seeking to remain competitive in global markets.
We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on a range of issues the President raised in his address, especially in the areas of trade, including trade with China, tax policy, energy policy and the development of green technologies.
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP Communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org
