Utah Business Leaders Praise Sen. Hatch's Victory on Trade
WASHINGTON—Utah business leaders and job creators voiced their support for Trade Promotion Authority legislation authored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, following its final passage in the United States Senate on Wednesday. The bill, soon to be signed by President Obama, seeks to strengthen America’s ability to negotiate effective trade agreements. Utah's business community actively campaigned for the legislation, explaining how the bill would enable Utah companies to sell their products overseas more easily and would also create high-paying jobs for Utah families. Senator Hatch, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, played a leading role as co-author of the bill alongside Finance Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Lane Beattie, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The passage of TPA will be critical for Utah’s economy, promoting exports, spurring economic growth, and creating jobs. Utah is a trade state, with trade accounting for one in five Utah jobs. On behalf of Utah’s business leader, we want to thank the members of our federal delegation who supported Utah jobs and voted to advance a robust international trade agenda.”
“We also want to specifically acknowledge and thank Senator Hatch for his statesmanship and leadership on this critical issue. As a longtime advocate of breaking down trade barriers, Senator Hatch has championed efforts to enhance Utah’s global competitiveness and increase access for Utah workers and job-creators into international markets.”
Derek B. Miller, President and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, said:
“Congress passing Trade Promotion Authority today means the U.S. will be able to enter into trade agreements that will lead to increased exports and international partnerships for decades to come. I want to thank the members of Utah’s congressional delegation who voted in favor of this game-changing legislation, and specifically Senator Hatch for sponsoring the bill.”
Scott Anderson, President and CEO of Zions Bank, said:
“World Trade Center Utah’s executive committee passed a resolution this morning thanking and congratulating Senator Hatch for his work on Trade Promotion Authority. This is a big step forward for international trade in our country and we commend Senator Hatch on his perseverance with this bill.”
Dr. Nigel Steward, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Kennecott, said:
“Trade Promotion Authority, or TPA, commits Congress to stringent review of two trade agreements being negotiated by President Obama and a simple process to approve or reject them… The trade agreements that are being negotiated and that would be subject to TPA hold the prospect of massive opportunity for Utah exporters: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). These trade agreements will deliver more jobs, more choices and lower costs for American consumers. These agreements will allow Utah's businesses to benefit from reduced trade barriers, increased transparency standards and access to new sources of foreign direct investment.”
“Back in Washington, Utah is leading on trade. Sen. Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is advancing bipartisan legislation that will facilitate trade agreements that can tear down barriers to Utah exports, open new markets and help companies across the state find more opportunities to sell goods and services across the globe.”
Dave Cote, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, said:
“I applaud Senator Hatch, Senator Wyden, and Congressman Paul Ryan on the introduction of The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is long overdue, and Honeywell is ready for Congress to act on the ambitious yet valuable U.S. trade agenda that this administration has set forth. Our employees are working every day, all around the world, to produce the best technology available, and our ability to sell these goods and services into high growth regions hinges on open and fair trade.”
Jim Webb, President of the Utah Pork Producers Association, said:
“TPA will empower U.S. trade officials to pursue and conclude a number of free trade agreements (FTAs), but it's the TPP [Trans-Pacific Partnership] that now is paramount for the U.S. business and agricultural sectors… Utah in 2014 sent $12.3 billion of goods, including more than $530 million of agricultural products, to foreign destinations. Trade supports more than 374,000 jobs in the state, with more than 700 of them in the hog industry, including farmers, processors and input suppliers.”
“The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which falls under the jurisdiction of our own Sen. Orrin Hatch as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is the best new hope for global trade liberalization, with 12 countries in this first round of talks and others lining up to be included in subsequent rounds.
