Small Business and Entrepreneurship Benefit From Trade
Advocate calls for swift passage of TPA to help America's entrepreneurs access and compete in the global marketplace
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a Capitol Hill press conference today, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) joined congressional trade leaders and fellow advocacy groups to call for swift passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). SBE Council's president & CEO Karen Kerrigan said the U.S. needs to move more aggressively and swiftly in pursuing and finalizing trade agreements, which will help America's entrepreneurs access global consumers. In turn, these entrepreneurial firms will grow more quickly, invest and innovate more vigorously, and create more quality jobs.
"We compete in a global economy, and small businesses must be able to efficiently and seamlessly access global markets to grow. With 95% of consumers living outside U.S. borders and two-thirds of the world's purchasing power in foreign countries, forging trade agreements means forging a path for growth for America's small businesses. TPA is a vital tool for our president to negotiate and accelerate trade agreements. These agreements will lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, embed protections with respect to intellectual property, and bring regulatory cohesion to make exporting less costly and complex for small businesses. Efforts to reduce governmental barriers to trade – including Congress passing trade promotion authority - is essential for small business growth," said Kerrigan.
With TPA, the president has the authority to negotiate trade agreements, but Congress has the final say on approving these agreements with an up-or-down vote.
"Various interest groups are using scare tactics to stop TPA and trade agreements already in the works. If successful, their efforts would undermine U.S. leadership, our competitiveness, and an economic future that has more opportunities for entrepreneurs and our workforce. Trade is a clear positive for America and our economy," added Kerrigan.
SBE Council is a nonprofit advocacy, research and education organization that works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship. For more than twenty years SBE Council has successfully fought for policies and initiatives that strengthen the ecosystem for startups and small business success. For more information, visit www.sbecouncil.org. Follow on twitter: @SBECouncil.
Contact: Katie Kerrigan
[email protected], 703-242-5840
SOURCE Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
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