Trade Groups Pleased with State of Union Address
Trade-related business groups were generally supportive of President Obama's support of trade and infrastructure during his Feb. 12 State of the Union address (see ITT's Online Archives 13021326), they indicated in statements issued after the address.
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National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch said his group especially welcomed "the pursuit of comprehensive trade agreements with nations around the world and immigration reform. ... While the U.S.-EU talks will not be easy, they are critically important" (here).
The U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) also welcomed (here) the launch of negotiations toward a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. The deal would "reinforce the world's largest two-way commercial relationship, and solidify our historic strong ties with Europe," said USCIB President Peter Robinson. He said USCIB is especially pleased that the High-Level Working Group's report identified several new trade and investment issues as priorities for action in a transatlantic agreement, including leveling the playing field with respect to state-owned enterprises and forced-localization measures that can distort trade and investment.
The American Association of Port Authorities was pleased that Obama "mentioned the value and need for 'modern ports to move our goods,'" in the address, said AAPA President Kurt Nagle (here): "Highlighting ports in the State of the Union address is recognition that seaports and the trade flowing through them are vital to creating and sustaining jobs, economic growth and enhancing U.S. international competitiveness. ... Investing in port-related infrastructure, such as marine terminal facilities and the roads, rails and navigation channels leading to and from America's seaports, is critical to President Obama's 'Partnership to Rebuild America' program."