AEM applauds bipartisan deal of U.S. Trade Representative and congressional leaders

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) applauds the U.S.Trade Representative (USTR) on reaching agreement with congressional leaders to consider free trade agreements on a bipartisan basis. The agreement comes after six months of discussion between the two sides.

Under the agreement, labor and environmental protections will be added to stalled free trade agreements (FTA) now waiting for congressional approval--agreements between the U.S. and Columbia, Panama, Peru and South Korea.

AEM cited the historic milestone as exactly what U.S. manufacturers need to continue opening markets abroad and reforming unfair trade practices. The association also called it a big leap forward to assure America's trade partners that the U.S. values the agreements it has negotiated. Further, it shows that both parties of Congress are working together to move those agreements forward.

AEM noted that the bipartisan deal also is good news for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round of trade negotiations because USTR Susan Schwab will now have more time to focus on revitalizing discussions among WTO members.