U.S. Chamber Members Arrive to Lobby Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed officials from member companies and local chambers of commerce from seven states to the nation's capital, for the kickoff for a major pro-China trade rally today. The group will urge members of Congress to pass Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China in meetings this afternoon.

"This vote is not about punishing China – it's about helping Americans. PNTR for China means more jobs at better wages for American workers," said Craig Johnstone, Chamber senior vice president for international, economic and national security affairs. "Congress must take its cue from the hundreds of businesses you represent, the thousands of jobs that depend on your companies' success, and the two and a-half billion dollars in exports to China that you have achieved."

Representatives from businesses and chambers in Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia arrived in Washington last night to join a nation-wide business lobbying effort.

More than 300 employees representing large and small businesses in the telecommunications, aerospace, insurance, manufacturing and services industries will meet with members of Congress today to outline the enormous benefits from the trade deal recently negotiated between China and the United States and the importance of PNTR.

"A vote against PNTR is not a vote against China or a vote against the WTO. It is a vote against giving American businesses, workers and farmers access to 1.2 billion Chinese consumers," said Johnstone. "Unless we grant China PNTR, we will not receive the benefits of our own trade agreement – but our foreign competitors will."

The Chamber has launched a nationwide grassroots initiative, Trade Roots, to educate local leaders and the public about the importance of international trade to local communities. Trade Roots currently is focusing on the U.S.-China WTO agreement and the PNTR vote by mobilizing community leaders, communicating with local officials, and serving as an information resource for members of Congress and other opinion leaders.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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