America’s CEOs Call for Passage of Bipartisan TPA Legislation As Soon As Possible

Washington – In a letter to House and Senate leadership yesterday urging Congress to act now on bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, Thomas Linebarger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cummins Inc. and Chair of the Business Roundtable International Engagement Committee, wrote:

“… For decades, trade and U.S. trade agreements have promoted U.S. growth and jobs. Trade-related U.S. jobs grew three and a half times faster than total U.S. employment from 2004 to 2013, with trade now supporting nearly 40 million U.S. jobs.

“… Passage of TPA will help ensure that U.S. trade negotiators get the best possible outcomes for American companies, farmers and workers and will reassure our trading partners that Congress and the Administration are committed to reaching strong trade agreements.

“It also ensures Congress plays a key role in the trade negotiations by laying out clear negotiating objectives and consultation requirements for the Administration.

“We urge you, other members of Congress, and the President to partner to enact TPA as soon as possible. This is critical to helping complete high-quality agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the Trade in Services Agreement, and an agreement to eliminate tariffs on environmental goods.”

Passage of bipartisan TPA legislation is a top priority for Business Roundtable CEOs. The Roundtable founded and leads the U.S. business and agricultural community’s Trade Benefits America Coalition, aimed at educating on the benefits of trade and U.S. trade agreements and advocating for modernized TPA as an important tool for pursuing pending and future negotiations to provide further opportunities for U.S. economic growth and job creation.