WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today launched its national Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour, a six-week trip through 20 states and more than 50 events to make the case for free enterprise in communities across America and push back against growing support for government-directed economic policies that threaten economic freedom, opportunity, innovation, and growth.
"The best argument for free enterprise is the one people can see for themselves: a new job, a growing business, a breakthrough innovation, a stronger community, and a better quality of life," said Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "As other economic ideas gain traction, business leaders have a responsibility to demonstrate what's at stake and why free enterprise remains the best pathway to opportunity and prosperity.”
The tour comes at a moment when Americans are increasingly being presented with competing visions for the country's economic future. While most Americans continue to favor free enterprise over socialism, support for socialist ideas has grown in recent years, particularly among younger Americans. The Chamber believes business leaders must actively engage in this debate and demonstrate how economic freedom and competition remain the strongest drivers of opportunity and rising living standards.
“American families face real challenges, but those promoting socialist solutions are wrong about the causes and dead wrong about the solutions,” Clark said. “We do not need to choose between acknowledging today's challenges and defending free enterprise. We can do both. The answer is not to abandon the system that has done more than any other to raise living standards and expand opportunity. It is to remove the barriers that prevent free enterprise from doing what it does best: creating growth, solving problems, and improving lives. My vote is for Free Enterprise every time.”
The effort is part of a broader Chamber initiative the New Fight for Free Enterprise, a multi-year effort to organize, mobilize, and make the case for free enterprise everywhere public opinion is shaped, public policy is made, and future generations learn what it takes for people and communities to thrive.
The Opportunity Tour also builds on a historic $100 million contribution recently received by the U.S. Chamber, the largest donation in its 114-year history. The endowment will directly support the New Fight for Free Enterprise and has enabled the Chamber to significantly accelerate its efforts. As Americans face real economic challenges and consider the choices that will shape the country's future, the Opportunity Tour will showcase how free enterprise-driven growth raises living standards and solves problems at scale, for everyone. The U.S. Chamber will put a national spotlight on the local leaders, candidates, employers, and workers fueling growth and opportunity across America.
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About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. For more than 114 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
