WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Business Roundtable today reiterated its support of speedy
bipartisan passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
(TPA) on the heels of President Bush's announcement this morning that
he would be sending the bill before Congress.
John Castellani, president of Business Roundtable:
"Business Roundtable fully supports the Colombia TPA and trade
with Colombia in general, as we continue to encourage bipartisan
cooperation that puts the best interests of American workers first.
With the opportunity to strengthen American competitiveness and
security now at Congress' doorstep, our policymakers on both sides of
the aisle must come together to act swiftly."
"The 31 million U.S. workers whose jobs depend on trade have the
opportunity to be among the many beneficiaries of open entry into
Colombia's budding economy. Passage of the agreement means that the
8,000 U.S. exporters to Colombia will no longer face unjust tariffs.
This would greatly increase the opportunity for U.S. goods and
services, like chemicals, plastics and U.S. agricultural products, to
reach the Colombian market, ultimately benefitting U.S. workers. And,
importantly, an agreement with Colombia will also promote economic
development and political stability with this important Latin American
ally."
"Business Roundtable knows how important trade agreements, like
the one with Colombia, are to the competitiveness of American
companies and workers. And, that programs like trade adjustment
assistance are essential for American workers who need help to restore
their competitiveness in the job market. We are committed to working
with Congress to achieve swift bipartisan passage of this
legislation."
Business Roundtable (www.businessroundtable.org) is an association
of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with $4.5
trillion in annual revenues and nearly 10 million employees. Member
companies comprise nearly a third of the total value of the U.S. stock
markets and represent over 40 percent of all corporate income taxes
paid to the federal government. Collectively, they returned $114
billion in dividends to shareholders and the economy in 2006.
Business Roundtable
Kirk Monroe, 202-496-3269
Copyright Business Wire 2008
