House Action on Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Sends ''Unfortunate Message,''...

House Action on Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Sends ''Unfortunate Message,'' Says CEA's Shapiro

ARLINGTON, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to change
the rules requiring a vote on the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.
The following statement may be attributed to Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro:

"With its action today, the House has sent an unfortunate message
to the world that it doesn't believe that U.S. workers and businesses
can compete in a global marketplace. Approval of this agreement is a
no-brainer. Almost every editorial board has endorsed it. It would
create jobs and export opportunities for Americans in a time of
economic uncertainty. Our politicians have forgotten that the American
interest should trump politics.

"The sad irony of today's vote is just weeks ago Congress gave
Colombian companies tariff-free access to U.S. markets. Now, Congress
denies U.S. workers and companies the same access to the Colombian
market that Colombian companies have in the United States. And by
reneging on the process for approving agreements, Congress is
handicapping the next President's ability to negotiate with countries
that will naturally prefer to negotiate trade agreements with other
industrialized nations that play by the rules.

"We urge the Congress to move quickly to approve the Colombia
Trade Promotion Agreement."

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade
association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer
electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of
CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research,
technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering
of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages
the International CES - Where Entertainment, Technology and Business
Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry
services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

-0-
*T
-- International CES/hometech
May 25-27, 2008, Dubai, UAE

-- DIGITAL DOWNTOWN (D2)
June 12-14, 2008, New York, NY

-- Connections(TM): The Digital Living Conference and Showcase
June 24-26, 2008, Santa Clara, CA

-- SINOCES 2008
July 10-13, 2008, Qingdao, China

-- Building Blocks
August 4-7, 2008, San Jose, CA

-- CEA Industry Forum
October 19-22, 2008, Las Vegas, NV

-- Digital Hollywood
October 27-30, 2008, Hollywood, CA

-- EHX Fall 2008
November 4-7, 2008, Long Beach, CA

-- 2009 International CES
January 8-11, 2009, Las Vegas, NV
*T

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Jenny Pareti, 703-907-7079
jpareti@CE.org
http://www.CE.org
or
Katie Hallen, 202-463-0013 x213
Katie.hallen@463.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008