U.S. Chamber Joins Congressman Moore to Highlight Benefits of Trade to Kansas City

'Midwest has an enormous opportunity to create their own stimulus package by embracing trade,' Schweitzer says

KANSAS CITY, MO — U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Trade Advisor Leslie Schweitzer today joined Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS) at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to outline the importance of expanding free and fair trade as a fuse to reignite the region's economy.

"There's no doubt that this region's economy is feeling the economic squeeze, just like much of America," Schweitzer said. "But the Kansas City area has an enormous opportunity to create their own economic stimulus package by embracing trade and looking to new markets abroad."

Missouri exported $13.4 billion and Kansas another $10.3 billion in manufactured goods in 2007. The Kansas City metro area accounted for $6.7 billion – over 25% – of each state's exports. More than 200,000 jobs in the two states came from businesses that shipped products overseas in 2006.

"Congressman Moore understands that in today's economic climate, it is imperative that we work to keep markets open to goods produced by this region's farmers and workers," Schweitzer said.

At the event, Rep. Moore received the Chamber's distinguished Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support for pro-growth policies, including trade legislation, in the second session of the 110th Congress.

More information about TradeRoots, the only sustained, national trade education program dedicated to raising grassroots support and public awareness about the importance of international trade to local communities, is available at www.traderoots.org/.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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