USCIB Hails Trade Promotion Authority Legislation

capitol_scaffolding_loresNew York, N.Y., April 16, 2015 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) applauded the introduction of bipartisan legislation in Congress to re-establish Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), trade legislation that facilitates the negotiation and implementation of U.S. trade agreements.

“The United States needs TPA to secure international trade deals that create jobs and increase economic prosperity for all,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “We won’t be able to complete important agreements with Asia, the European Union and other trading partners without TPA. The business community is urging Congress to swiftly pass this legislation.”

USCIB and its member companies have been outspoken advocates for TPA and for an ambitious trade U.S. trade agenda, organizing two high-level policy conferences about the benefits of increased trade and investment: “Exploring New Approaches to Trade, Investment and Jobs” last October with a keynote by USTR Michael Froman, and the Customs & Trade Facilitation Symposium in February with Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske.

As a founding member of the Trade Benefits America Coalition, USCIB also joined with other leading business groups to advocate for passage of TPA and educate the public about how U.S. trade agreements lead to prosperity for all. The coalition has worked with Congress and the Obama administration to build public support for the U.S. trade agenda. In addition, last month Robinson co-authored an Op-Ed in The Hill with former Rep. James Bacchus about the pressing need to pass TPA.

Robinson cited important recent progress on several trade pacts – including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement – as adding urgency to the need to re-establish TPA, which every president since FDR has enjoyed.

“Current trade negotiations could make our country the preferred location for global innovation and jobs,” Robinson said. “But first Congress must provide President Obama the necessary trade negotiating authority.”

About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include 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, 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, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org

 

Staff Contact:   Kira Yevtukhova

Deputy Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 202.617.3160

Kira Yevtukhova manages USCIB’s print and online publications, including the website, e-newsletter and quarterly magazine, and serves as the organization’s digital media strategist. Prior to this role, Kira worked for over five years within USCIB’s Policy Department, focusing on climate change, environment, nutrition, health, and chemicals related policy issues. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and has an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
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