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February 29, 2008

 

U.S. Chamber and Canadian Chamber Urgently Call for Action to Reduce Border Costs
 
Washington, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in close collaboration with members and partnering associations, released a report that includes recommendations to both the U.S. and Canadian governments to reduce the costs of border crossings and to strengthen national security.
 
“In the age of growing global competition, we must work together to further North American prosperity,” says Thomas Donohue, the U.S. Chamber's President and CEO.
 
While some good progress has been made by our governments, the report, Finding the Balance: Reducing Border Costs While Strengthening Border Security, calls for short-term measures to eliminate duplicative and burdensome border requirements and facilitate the movement of legitimate passenger and cargo traffic. A number of the recommendations in the report are aimed at increasing enrollment in trusted shipper and traveler programs which will reduce the costs and time associated with moving people and goods between the two nations.  The more participants in these programs, the more border officials can focus on identifying illegitimate cargo and travelers – the aim of all the security measures.
 
Since 9/11, Canada-U.S. businesses have experienced a costly layering of increased border-crossing fees, inspections, and wait times. A sense of frustration exists within the Canadian and U.S. business communities that many practical measures that could reduce border-related costs have yet to be taken. A broad cross section of Industry has pulled together their priority recommendations for Canadian and US government action within the next 18 months.

“North American businesses are confronted by a border that is becoming thicker, stickier, and more costly,” says Perrin Beatty, Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We urgently need to find ways to reduce costs for legitimate cargo and travelers. By working together, we can achieve both economic and physical security.”
 
Canada and the United States enjoy a special relationship that facilitates the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, with approximately $1.5 billion USD in two-way trade crossing the border on a daily basis. The benefits flowing from this relationship are significant, including approximately 7.1 million jobs in the United States and 3 million jobs in Canada.

To view the full report, please click here.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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