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July 29, 2005
Redondo Beach
Chamber Supported Trade
Act Passes the US Congress
Last month, the
U.S. Senate approved the Central American Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA) by a vote of 54-45. In the U.S. House
today, the passage of CAFTA was not as easy. CAFTA passed
the House by a two-vote margin, 217-215.
The passage of this agreement is a major victory for the
Bush administration, which had to fend off claims by critics
that the pact would harm American workers.
"CAFTA helps ensure that free trade is fair trade," the
president said in a statement following the vote. "By
lowering trade barriers to American goods in Central
American markets to a level now enjoyed by their goods in
the U.S., this agreement will level the playing field and
help American workers, farmers and small businesses." The
president and numerous administration officials believe the
agreement as a tool to give fragile Latin American
democracies the opportunity for stability and prosperity.
This free trade agreement eventually eliminates tariffs and
other trade barriers between the United States and Costa
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the
Dominican Republican. The countries signed the trade deal a
year ago.
The Representatives who backed the agreement said goods like
the apples, pears and cherries grown in Washington state and
the corn, soybeans and tractors produced in Illinois will be
sold free of duties in a market of 44 million people.
Further, this newly opened market region bought about $15
billion worth of U.S. goods last year. They also claim it
levels the playing field with the Latin American nations
party to the deal that already escape duties on 80 percent
of their exports to the United States.
July 26, 2005
Redondo Beach Chamber
Supports DR-CAFTA: Billions in Trade Rely on its
Implementation
On June 30, 2005, by a vote of 54-to-45, the U.S. Senate
voted to approve and implement the U.S.-Dominican
Republic/Central American Free Trade Agreement
(DR-CAFTA, S. 1307). The U.S. House Committee on Ways
and Means has also voted 25-16 in favor of the DR-CAFTA
(H.R. 3045), which sets the stage for consideration on
the U.S. House floor before the end of July.
The DR-CAFTA, the largest free trade agreement in over a
decade, is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
the California Chamber of Commerce and California
Senator Diane Feinstein (D-San Francisco). Senator
Barbara Boxer (D-Greenbrea) voted against the agreement.
If the DR-CAFTA is implemented, more than 80 percent of
U.S. exports will be able to enter the DR-CAFTA
countries duty-free, with all products having duty-free
access in 10 years. The six nations represented by the
DR-CAFTA (Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) will be the second
largest U.S. export market in Latin America, behind
Mexico. The United States exported more than $15 billion
in goods to the five Central American countries included
in the agreement in 2004, more than U.S. exports to
Russia, India and Indonesia combined. With the Dominican
Republic added to this group, total two-way trade with
the United States topped $1 trillion.
A study by the U.S. International Trade Commission has
indicated that the DR-CAFTA will increase U.S. exports
worldwide by $1.9 billion upon implementation, more than
any other recent free trade agreement.
The DR-CAFTA is expected to contribute to stronger
economies, the rule of law, sustainable development, and
more accountable institutions of governance,
complementing ongoing domestic, bilateral and
multilateral efforts in the region. It will also support
American jobs, level the playing field for U.S. workers,
U.S. farmers will get a large agricultural export
increase, and give U.S. companies and workers new
opportunities in the region.
Your action is needed for the final push! The DR-CAFTA
is absolutely critical to the jobs and livelihoods of
tens of thousands of American workers.
The agreement needs 218 votes for approval in the House.
The Redondo Beach Chamber Sent the
Following Letter to Local Congresswoman Jane Harman
July 19, 2005
The Honorable Jane Harman
Member of U.S. House of Representatives
2400 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative Harman:
Re: U.S. – D.R. / Central American Free Trade Agreement -
SUPPORT
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau
urges you to APPROVE the U.S.-D.R./Central American Free
Trade Agreement (US-DR-CAFTA) currently pending before
Congress. Agreements like the proposed US-DR-CAFTA ensure
that the United States may continue to gain access to world
markets, which will result in an improved economy and
additional employment of Americans.
As you may know, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce is a
broad-based nonprofit membership organization through which
business, industry and agriculture join forces to work
toward positive action on key issues affect Redondo Beach’s
economic climate.
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau
serves over 670 members and has established itself as a
leader in the community since 1907. Through a well planned
and balanced program of work, the Chamber is dedicated to
creating a strong local economy, promoting the community,
and representing the interests of business with government.
The Chamber is also dedicated to maintaining and increasing
our membership by providing more benefits and comprehensive
services for the business community. Because of our seaside
location many new businesses have settled here. We have made
it our highest priority to raise awareness as to the variety
and location of businesses. The Chamber strives to enhance
the economic vitality and advocate in the interest of
businesses in Redondo Beach.
The Redondo Beach Chamber supports expansion of
international trade and investment, fair and equitable
market access for Redondo Beach and California products
abroad, and elimination of disincentives that impede the
international competitiveness of Redondo Beach and
California business.
California is one of the ten largest economies in the world
with a gross state product of approximately $1.4 trillion.
International related commerce accounts for approximately
one-quarter of the state’s economy. Export-supported jobs
account for more than 10 percent of California’s total
private sector employment - about one in 10 jobs.
The US-DR-CAFTA is expected to contribute to stronger
economies, the rule of law, sustainable development, and
more accountable institutions of governance, complementing
ongoing domestic, bilateral, and multilateral efforts in the
region. A study by the US International Trade Commission has
indicated that the DR-CAFTA will increase U.S. exports
worldwide by $1.9 billion upon implementation, more than any
other recent FTA.
Collectively, DR-CAFTA is the second largest U.S. export
market in Latin America, and the United States’ 13th largest
export market worldwide. Leading U.S. exports to Central
America include textiles, machinery, plastics, electrical
machinery and equipment. California exports to the DR-CAFTA
market totaled nearly $660 million in 2004, making it our
state’s 25th largest export market. California leads the
nation in exports of computers and electronic products. They
are the state’s number one export, accounting for nearly 40
percent of all California’s exports and 20 percent of total
U.S. exports. Forty percent of total goods imports by
Central America come from the United States.
Currently, U.S. products face a competitive disadvantage in
the region, because Central American countries have been
very active in negotiating free trade agreements that do not
include the United States. More than 20 trade agreements
grant preferences in Central America to products from
Mexico, Canada, Chile, and several South American nations.
The nations included in the DR-CAFTA are important trading
partners with the United States and specifically, Redondo
Beach and California. Recently, Ambassadors representing the
nations included in the DR-CAFTA spoke to the California
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and its membership at
large. They made an excellent case for the Agreement and
were very well received in our state.
The US-DR-CAFTA will benefit those of us in Redondo Beach,
California, and the United States as a whole, and we thank
you for your SUPPORT of this important piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Marna Smeltzer
President and CEO
CC: US Chamber of Commerce
California Chamber of Commerce
Click here
to contact the Redondo Beach Chamber
for more
information
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