(February 8, 2011) The California Chamber of Commerce is emphasizing again to a congressional committee the importance of the pending free trade agreements to both the California and U.S. economies.

The CalChamber submitted comments yesterday to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which is holding a hearing tomorrow on President Barack Obama’s trade policy agenda.

“Trade offers the opportunity to expand the role of California’s exports. In its broadest terms, trade can literally feed the world and raise the living standards of those around us,” CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg wrote to the committee.

CalChamber Positions

The CalChamber urged approval of the pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

The CalChamber also:

• supported the extension of trade promotion authority so the President of the United States may negotiate new multilateral, sectoral and regional trade agreements;
• expressed hope that appropriate funding will be made available to make the U.S. Commercial Service and export assistance a core part of the economic recovery package;
• opposed protectionism as a move that only invites retaliation from U.S. trading partners;
• encouraged continued participation in negotiations leading to U.S. accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership;
• voiced support for a successful Doha Round of negotiations by the World Trade Organization (WTO); and
• urged a quick resolution to the cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Committee Hearing

The committee hearing will focus on current trade issues, such as:

• the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea;
• the full range of issues impeding U.S. companies from selling goods and services in China and distorting trade flows through unfair trade practices;
• the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations;
• the prospect for trade expansion in agriculture, industrial goods and services through the Doha Round
• negotiations at the WTO and issues surrounding Russia’s efforts to accede to the WTO; and
• management of trade disputes and concerns and other trade issues.

Comments

The CalChamber is encouraging businesses to comment on the President’s trade policy agenda.

Written comments are being accepted by close of business on February 23 at the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee web page.

Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling