CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Jamal Ware
(202) 463-5682 / 888-249-NEWS

 

Thursday, July 24, 2003

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today hailed House passage of the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade agreements and urged the Senate to move quickly to approve them.

 

“These trade agreements provide American small businesses, manufacturers and service providers the chance to get back into the game on international trade,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue.  “They send a clear message the United States is prepared to improve trade and economic relations with countries that stay on the path of economic reform, free markets and democracy.”

 

The U.S.-Chile agreement will immediately eliminate Chilean tariffs on more than 85 percent of U.S. exports, restoring a level playing field for American workers, farmers and businesses, according to the Chamber.  The U.S.-Singapore agreement will ensure the competitiveness of U.S. companies in the largest market for U.S. goods and services in Southeast Asia.

 

“These agreements are state-of-the-art,” Donohue added.  “They re-establish American determination to exert leadership on future trade deals.”

 

The U.S. Chamber is among the leaders of the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade coalitions.  More than 500 companies and business organizations have joined the coalitions in the months since negotiations for the agreements were completed.  On Wednesday, the Chamber sponsored a fly-in and Capitol Hill rally to demonstrate to Congress the strong grassroots and small business support for passage of the two trade agreements.

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

 

###

 

03-127