U.S. Chamber Calls on Congress to Grant President Trade Promotion Authority

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Chamber of Commerce today called on Congress to grant Trade Promotion Authority for the President - a move that is vital for U.S. small businesses to stay ahead of foreign competitors.

"We must grasp this essential opportunity to cement our leadership role on trade which will protect our national interests and significantly help small businesses compete globally," said Willard Workman, Chamber vice president, for international affairs. "A vote against TPA is a vote against American small business and a vote to export American jobs."

Without TPA, American companies must source their products from within the targeted foreign markets or other countries that have trade agreements with those markets. Large firms can do this, but small companies are invested in the U.S. market and can't afford to set up subsidiaries in every foreign market they want to access.

"Voting against TPA condemns American small business to second-class citizenship in the global market," Workman continued. "Our trading partners will not negotiate agreements with the United States which are subject to change by Congress after a deal has been made."

Granting Trade Promotion Authority to the President is one of the Chamber's top priorities. Through its well-established trade education network - TradeRoots - the Chamber is mobilizing thousands of small businesses and their employees that are losing out on critical trade opportunities. A growing number of small-to-mid-sized companies are expanding their overseas trading, and TradeRoots has been helping those businesses bring their products to international markets.

The Chamber's Grassroots Action Information Network motivates tens of thousands of business owners across the country to phone, write or lobby their senators and representative. Chamber federation members and non-member supporters have also been urged to support Trade Promotion Authority - effectively doubling the size of our grassroots network.

The U.S. Chamber 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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