WASHINGTON -- American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman praised President Obama’s Administration for transmitting to Congress implementing legislation for the free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
“I applaud President Obama for submitting these important free trade agreements to Congress for a vote. American manufacturing produces quality products that people rely upon around the world, and passage of these FTAs is essential to providing businesses the level playing field needed to compete.
“The United States is one of the world’s most diverse exporters of sustainable forest products with 2010 U.S. exports of forest products to the three countries reaching $1 billion. While our international competitors are rapidly negotiating their own trade agreements to reduce barriers, quick Congressional approval of all three FTAs is vital to global competitiveness for American businesses. When American manufacturing is allowed to compete, their success creates much needed jobs. The American Forest & Paper Association fully supports the pending FTAs with South Korea, Colombia and Panama and urges Congress to approve them,” said Harman.
About AF&PA: The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. Our companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources that sustain the environment. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Industry companies produce about $175 billion in products annually and employ nearly 900,000 men and women, exceeding employment levels in the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states. Further information is available at AFandPA.org.
Source: AF&PA
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