Chamber Praises New Trade Representative

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce thanked the Senate for confirming Ambassador Susan C. Schwab as President Bush's choice to negotiate international trade deals and help American businesses compete in the global marketplace.

"Sue Schwab knows that today's priority for the U.S. trade agenda must be focus and closure," said Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue. "From Doha and the pending free trade deals to the negotiations with Korea and Malaysia, Schwab knows that success is spelled ABC—always be closing."

The Chamber has been working closely with USTR on agreements to open overseas markets for American exporters, crack down on counterfeiting and piracy around the world, and ensure that other countries live up to their obligations under trade agreements.

"The U.S. has been the driving force behind the Doha Development Agenda, where the price of failure would be very high," said Donohue. "If anyone can close a good deal in the round, it's Schwab. She's also well positioned to coordinate the administration's push for Congressional approval of the pending trade deals with Oman, Peru, and Colombia in short order.

"Trade is a powerful driver for the global economy, and America's trading companies are the cornerstone of our future success," he added. "A quarter of a million small companies are exporting today, and USTR's work to open foreign markets is indispensable."

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.

www.uschamber.com

# # #

06-95