U.S. Chamber Offers Full Support for Administration's Commitment to Act on Korea FTA

“Creating Jobs is Going to Start with Expanding Trade,” Overby Says

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Following President Obama’s commitment at the G-20 Summit today to act on the pending Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offered its full support for White House’s efforts to expand trade for the sake of “creating jobs and keeping this economic recovery on track."

“Creating jobs is going to start with expanding trade,” said Tami Overby, the Chamber's vice president of Asia. “We stand ready to help the Administration in resolving the outstanding issues in this agreement. The top priority for our country should remain putting Americans back to work and this agreement is the linchpin to continuing our economic recovery.”

“This pact has the potential to be a model for other agreements across the Asia-Pacific region,” she said. “This is a region that now accounts for half of the global economy. We’re talking about the future here.”

According to a recent study, nearly 400,000 jobs in the United States are at risk if Congress fails to act on the pending agreement.

“This commitment to creating jobs by expanding trade with Korea also illustrates America’s commitment to a geostrategic ally in Asia,” Overby said. “Free enterprise has been essential in allowing South Korea to remaining a force on the Peninsula. Now is the time for Congress and the administration to join this fight.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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