| For Immediate Release May 14, 2009 |
(202) 225-0508 |
|||
Congressman Bilbray urges President to moveon Panama Trade Agreement |
||||
|
(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Brian Bilbray recently sent President Obama a letter calling on the president to support the Panama Free Trade Agreement. The letter, signed by 44 members of the House of Representatives, including bi-partisan support from five Democrats willing to spend political capital to support the letter, requested that the Obama Administration act swiftly to pass the Panama Free Trade Agreement. "The Panama Trade Promotion Agreement would allow 88 percent of U.S. exports to enter Panama duty free upon implementation," said Congressman Bilbray in the letter. "Within 17 years of approval, 100 percent of Panamanian tariffs would be eliminated, to the mutual benefit of U.S. and Panamanian firms and workers. Additionally, approval of this agreement would give U.S. companies an inside track to participating in the $5 billion Panama Canal Expansion Project." The letter to Obama also had support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. The text of the letter follows: May 11, 2009 President Barack Obama Dear President Obama: On June 28, 2007, the United States and Panama signed a comprehensive free trade agreement after two and a half years of negotiation. While this agreement was not formally presented to Congress and implemented in the 110th Congress, it is our hope that a finalized implementing bill can be introduced and passed by the 111th Congress as quickly as possible. We urge you to work with Congress to gain support for this agreement and look forward to working with you to achieve this goal. The Panama Trade Promotion Agreement would allow 88 percent of U.S. exports to enter Panama duty free upon implementation. Within 17 years of approval, 100 percent of Panamanian tariffs would be eliminated, to the mutual benefit of U.S. and Panamanian firms and workers. Additionally, approval of this agreement would give U.S. companies an inside track to participating in the $5 billion Panama Canal expansion project. The expansion of the canal is one of the largest public infrastructure improvements in the world, and U.S. engineering, technology, and finance firms would be strong competitors to take on much of the work, while also sharing in long-term potential benefits. While there have been some concerns with labor and environmental issues, Panama has proactively addressed these issues by adopting the five basic internationally recognized labor standards, as stated in the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration, and adopting strengthened commitments to environmental standards in the text of the agreement. It is our hope that the Administration will work with Congress to assure expedient passage of the agreement. The United States and Panama have enjoyed a historic partnership and we look forward to working with you to ensure the completion of this agreement and the continued partnership between our two countries. Sincerely,
WALT MINNICK DAVE CAMP JIM MORAN ILLEANA ROS-LEHTINEN MICHAEL MCMAHON ROY BLUNT HENRY CUELLAR PAUL RYAN JARED POLIS SAM GRAVES DAVID DREIER DOC HASTINGS STEVE BUYER VERNON EHLERS KEVIN BRADY WALLY HERGER PATRICK TIBERI CONNIE MACK EDWARD ROYCE DAN BURTON DONALD MANZULLO TOM LATHAM SCOTT GARRETT JUDY BIGGERT JEFF FLAKE DOUG LAMBORN PETE SESSIONS DEVIN NUNES GEOFF DAVIS DAVID REICHERT CHARLES BOUSTANY DEAN HELLER SAM JOHNSON ERIK PAULSEN LEE TERRY JOSEPH PITTS AARON SCHOCK PETER J. ROSKAM ERIC CANTOR JOHN A. BOEHNER GINNY BROWN-WAITE MIKE PENCE
(####) |
||||
Home | Press List |
||||
