Pressing for FTAs approval after Hill recess

Pressing for FTAs approval after Hill recess    U.S. Senate leaders have reached an agreement to move forward pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, and Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation following the August recess.
   Industry associations praised the move, but urged lawmakers to follow-through as soon as they return.
   'As the president and some congressional leaders stated this week, the legislative agenda in September must focus on getting Americans back to work, increasing the volume of exports that leave our ports every day and generating economic growth,' said Chuck Dittrich, vice president for regional trade issues at the National Foreign Trade Council. 'While there will be many legislative priorities when Congress returns, the administration and Congress must now move to a vote and finally take yes for an answer on trade.'

Dittrich

   Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said further delays by Congress and the administration are 'unacceptable.

Donohue

   'We must not see any more roadblocks throw in front of these deals during the short legislative session that remains,' he said. 'While our economic recovery is stalling, delaying action on these job-creating trade agreements is absolutely inexcusable.'
   Reinforcing the need for Congress to act urgently, Donohue pointed out that in just the first two weeks after the European Union-Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force on July 1, European exports to Korea rose 16 percent, while U.S. market share in Korea fell. Ninety percent of Korean tariffs on European imports have already been eliminated. The Canada-Colombia FTA will enter into force on Aug. 15, leaving U.S. businesses further behind in Colombia. A U.S. Chamber study has warned that delays on the pending trade agreements has put 380,000 American jobs at risk.
   'The administration looks forward to working with leaders of the Senate and House after Congress returns in September to secure approval of these important initiatives,' said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in a statement.