“The prosperity of the United States is inextricably entwined with that of the rest of the world and international trade agreements provide stability and equity enabling increased trade,” said American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President and CEO Kurt Nagle in support of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), which the Senate just approved and the House approved on June 18.
He added, “Port cargo activity accounts for over a quarter of the U.S. economy and provides more than 23 million American jobs. AAPA believes this new trade legislation will help open the door to new markets for American goods and services, boost economic growth and generate additional well-paying jobs nationwide.”
As the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA has both independently, and in partnership with the Trade Benefits America coalition, strongly urged federal lawmakers to make TPA-2015 a priority. This is to enable the Administration to begin finalizing international trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), both of which AAPA support.
TPA-2015 establishes rigid rules for international trade negotiations to help the U.S. deliver transparent, resilient and accountable trade agreements that will boost American exports and create new economic opportunities and jobs for American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs. Mr. Nagle praised Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for introducing the bipartisan, bicameral trade legislation, noting that ports provide critical transportation infrastructure for the movement of America’s exports and imports.
“Ports are gateways to our regional and national economies, and connect American farmers, manufacturers and consumers to the world marketplace,” Mr. Nagle said. “America’s ports are eager to help facilitate the increased trade that will be brought on by TPA-2015 and the trade agreements that will follow.”