Trade Agreements Create More American Jobs Without Increasing the Deficit

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the House voted to extend the Generalized System of Preferences and the Andean Trade Preferences Act:

“Today’s vote to extend the Generalized System of Preferences and the Andean Trade Preferences Act should serve as a reminder that ratifying the pending Colombia and Panama Trade Promotion Agreements would immediately create more American jobs without increasing the federal deficit. Under these two trade preference programs, many Colombian and Panamanian goods enter the United States free from tariffs and duties, but American exports to Colombia and Panama are still heavily taxed. The free trade agreements will end those one-sided costs, making it easier for American farmers and manufacturers to sell U.S. products there. As President Obama recently noted, increasing American exports is a key to creating new American jobs, and a level playing field with Colombia and Panama would increase American exports by more than $1 billion.

“That having been said, I am troubled by the fact that this legislation did not do enough to hold one of the ATPA countries, Ecuador, accountable for its failure to respect international law. Expanding trade can help create jobs, but only if our trade partners play by the rules.” #####

Trade Agreements Create More American Jobs Without Increasing the Deficit | Republican Leader John Boehner