Agricultural News
National Cattlemen's Beef Association Urges President Obama for Action on Free Trade Agreements
Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:09:47 CDT
Labor Day is a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of U.S. workers. A day after Labor Day and just two days before President Obama is expected to address the nation with a plan to jumpstart the U.S. economy and create jobs in the United States, National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Bill Donald calls on the president to send the three pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to Congress immediately.
"If the president is serious about creating jobs, we expect the three trade agreements to be sent to Congress this week. There is absolutely no conceivable reason to delay these job-generating trade pacts any longer," said Donald. "Since President Obama took office, these trade agreements have been collecting dust on his desk. A lot of finger pointing is going on while our competitor's capitalize on our inability to act on these trade deals."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every $1 billion worth of agricultural goods exported, approximately 8,000 jobs are created. Donald said the three pending agreements would generate nearly $2.5 billion in additional exports and around 20,000 jobs. He said the trade agreements are a stimulus package that doesn't place additional financial burdens on U.S. taxpayers.
"If the president is serious about creating jobs, there should be no doubt in his mind that these trade agreements must be sent to Congress immediately," said Donald. "Those of us in rural America who depend on free and open trade are tired of bureaucratic speak and political games. It is time for the president to be a leader and send these trade agreements to Congress."
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