CEA Urges Congress to quickly approve the colombia trade promotion agreement
By Sage Chandler
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.”
For more information about CEA’s international trade initiatives, visit: www.CE.org/Trade.
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