U.S. Chamber urges support of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

July 20, 2004

Honorable Bill Frist
Majority Leader
United States Senate
SR-416
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Frist:

The United States Senate will be voting shortly on legislation to implement the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The U.S. Chamber of Commerce —the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses in every size, sector, and region — urges you to support this FTA, which will bring tangible commercial benefits to American companies, workers, and consumers.

U.S. products exported to Morocco currently face an average tariff of more than 20 percent. The U.S.-Morocco FTA will level the playing field for American businesses to compete with the European Union, which already passed a free trade agreement with Morocco. This FTA will immediately eliminate more than 95% of remaining Moroccan tariffs on U.S. consumer and industrial goods exported to Morocco. In addition, the FTA builds upon and improves existing international copyright agreements, and includes important new enforcement provisions to deter piracy and counterfeiting.

The United States exported over $465 million to Morocco last year, with a trade surplus of over $79 million. The FTA would further eliminate trade barriers, lower tariffs and provide increased market access for U.S. companies. By knocking down trade barriers in Morocco and in the rest of the world, we can help support even more American jobs.

When the Senate considers the U.S.-Morocco FTA, we urge you to strengthen the position of American workers, consumers, and businesses by supporting this FTA.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten
Executive Vice President, Government Affairs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce