Washington, DC - The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan agreement on the U.S. trade agenda:
“We commend the bipartisan effort to find a path forward on a positive trade agenda for the United States. We are reviewing the details of the agreement, particularly with respect to intellectual property rights, investment and labor,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The United States Congress has approved every free trade agreement negotiated by our nation because they have been in the clear U.S. national economic and foreign policy interest. This bipartisan agreement should pave the way for the approval of free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea, Panama and Peru.”
“We look to Congress to act swiftly to approve the pending FTAs with our close allies and trading partners in Latin America and in Asia,” said Mary Irace, NFTC Vice President of Trade and Export Finance. “Just as importantly, we look for positive action by Congress to approve new Trade Promotion Authority to enable the vitally important Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations to conclude successful. We must continue to demonstrate the necessary leadership to lead the Doha Round to an ambitious and balanced outcome.”
“The United States cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when it comes to economic engagement with the rest of the world and negotiating trade agreements to open markets for U.S. firms, workers and farmers. Our growth and future prosperity depend on it,” concluded Reinsch.
Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 Years
The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
