August Is No Recess For Bush Administration On Trade Promotion Authority; www.tpa.gov Provides State-by-State Trade Information.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2001

The halls of Congress may be quiet for the month of August, but the Bush Administration's advocacy of U.S. leadership in the world marketplace continues, with a new Website launched today - www.tpa.gov - to educate Americans on the debate for presidential Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

"With the launch of this Website, men and women across America can learn how Trade Promotion Authority would affect their lives and impact the things that matter most to them," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans. "Whether they're consumers, entrepreneurs, or workers, www.tpa.gov provides information they need on the important issue of Trade Promotion Authority."

The Website is a joint effort of the White House and federal agencies involved in international trade policy-making. It provides information detailing the importance of trade to consumers, workers and businesses, and includes a breakdown of the impact of trade on the economy of each state, as well as specifics about trade's impact on various U.S. industries.

"We want people to know why Trade Promotion Authority is so important to the future of the American economy and to the future of American families," said Evans. "Trade Promotion Authority will empower the President to negotiate trade agreements that will open more markets for American goods and services, preserve and create jobs, and reduce costs for farmers, workers, consumers and entrepreneurs.

"Some people may be surprised at what they learn about trade at www.tpa.gov," Evans said. "For example, 12 million U.S. jobs are dependent on exports, and jobs supported by exports pay up to 18 percent more than the national average. Ninety-seven percent of businesses that export are small. One in three U.S. farm acres are planted for export, and 25 percent of gross farm income comes from exports."

Evans points out that, without Trade Promotion Authority, the U.S. is falling behind other countries as a leader in opening global markets. Of 130 existing free trade agreements, the U.S. is party to only two. While Mexico, Canada and the European Union in particular, have been forging ahead with preferential trade agreements, the U.S. has lagged on the sidelines.

In addition to the new Website, Administration officials this month are discussing Trade Promotion Authority in speeches, op-ed articles and media interviews across the country.