U.S. Chamber Chairman Highlights Role of Trade in Creating Jobs, Strengthening Free Enterprise

'In a new global economy, we must choose to engage the competition, not hide from it,' Milligan tells Free Trade Alliance San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TX—Speaking to the Free Trade Alliance San Antonio today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bob Milligan highlighted a principal component of the Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise by outlining the ties between expanding trade and strengthening free enterprise.

"Now is the time to remind Americans that it was a free enterprise system based on the values of hard work, innovation, limited government, and open trade that built our great country," Milligan said. "We can create jobs in Texas by reaffirming free enterprise values and expanding trade. Now is not the time to turn inward and leave the global trade arena to our competitors."

Milligan emphasized the importance of trade by unveiling the U.S. Chamber's study entitled Trade Action – or Inaction: The Cost for American Workers and Companies. It shows that more than a half million jobs are at risk as a result of America's failure to act on the pending free trade agreements, the consequences of 'Buy American' rules, and the Mexican trucking standoff.

Milligan also presented the Free Trade Alliance San Antonio with the Chamber's TradeRoots International Leadership Award for their dedication to the principles of international trade, promoting exports in Texas, and helping create jobs.

"Texas's workers and businesses can emerge from this recession by building on their already solid position in the global marketplace," Milligan said. "Nearly a million Texas jobs are now supported by trade and tens of thousands more can be created if we knock down trade barriers and help small businesses crack into markets abroad.

"In a new global economy, we must choose to engage the competition, not hide from it," he said. "Ninety-five percent of the world's customers live outside of our borders. The business community is looking for bold leadership from the administration to help us double U.S. exports in five years. That's the best way to create the millions of new jobs our country needs."

The U.S. Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise—which will be rolled out in stages this fall—is a multi-million dollar national advocacy campaign encompassing advertising, education, political activities, new media, and grassroots organizing to defend and advance America's free enterprise values.

Milligan's speech is available at: www.uschamber.com/trade

TradeRoots is the only sustained, national trade education program dedicated to raising grassroots support and public awareness about the importance of international trade to local communities. Through strong partnerships with associations, local chambers of commerce, economic development groups, and the business community, TradeRoots takes the Chamber's message of promoting free enterprise and individual opportunity to local communities across the country.

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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