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Statement by Commerce Department on President Obama’s Submission of Trade Agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress


Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–October 4, 2011.  The following statement is attributed to Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank:

“The trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama that the president submitted to Congress today will support tens of thousands of jobs here at home and strengthen our economic recovery. I call upon Congress to swiftly approve these agreements, so American companies can gain more access to these markets and sell more of their products and services abroad. 

These three trade agreements, along with the extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program that Congress has agreed to support, represent a balanced approach to trade that not only opens up new opportunities for U.S. businesses but also provides support for American workers displaced by trade, so they can receive the training and assistance they need to find new jobs.

Boosted by the president’s National Export Initiative, exports–which support nearly 10 million American jobs–have been leading the economic recovery, accounting for more than 13 percent of U.S. economic output in the first quarter of 2011. The bottom line is that the more products and services that U.S. companies sell abroad, the more they need to produce. And, the more they produce, the more people they need to hire and that means good-paying jobs for Americans. These agreements will no doubt further strengthen our economy and create jobs, and they deserve expeditious approval.” 

For more information about the three trade agreements–how they will open market access for U.S. companies, how they will protect workers and how they will contribute to U.S. economic growth and recovery–please visit the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s website at www.ustr.gov/FTA

Source: commerce.gov


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