Chamber Lauds Trade Deal with Australia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today lauded the free trade agreement signed with Australia and urged Congress not to delay its approval of the deal.

"The FTA will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 99 percent of consumer and industrial goods from the United States to Australia and remove restrictions across a range of services sectors," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "We now need Congress to move forward and do its part to help open this key market to U.S. businesses."

During the signing ceremony with U.S. Trade Representative Bob Zoellick and Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile, the Chamber issued a report on the "Faces of Trade" which highlights profiles and stories from small and medium-sized businesses around the country that have benefited from trade with Australia.

The Chamber's report also includes economic facts on bilateral trade between the U.S. and Australia, which grew to $28 billion last year. Australia is the 9th largest export for market for American-made products.

"Beyond the direct benefits to U.S. companies, this agreement demonstrates our commitment to wider trade opportunities and the economic benefits trade generates," said Donohue. "The deal also recognizes an important U.S. relationship in the region."

At the signing ceremony were two small business owners from the Chamber's "Faces of Trade" report: Ted Brembose, President & CEO, of the nutritional supplement company, Bio-Form in New Jersey, and Peter Bowe, VP for Global Sales, Baltimore Dredges, LLC in Maryland.

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.

Download the "Faces of Trade" Report [PDF, 1919KB]

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