Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today issued a statement on the passage of the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation in the United States Senate.

“I applaud the bi-partisan group of Senators who voted today to strengthen the hand of American businesses and workers to better compete in the 21^st century economy.  Passage of Trade Promotion Authority is a critical step toward enabling our country to negotiate modern trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific and Europe that reflect our values, will open up new markets, level the playing field for our businesses and workers, and create more high-paying American jobs.

U.S. exports already support 11.7 million jobs that pay 13 to 18 percent more on average – enough jobs to employ the entire populations of New York City and Chicago.  We can build on that success with new trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP).  As Commerce Secretary, what I know is this: American businesses want to sell more products internationally and foreign citizens want more access to U.S. products and services.  Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers live outside of our borders and Trade Promotion Authority will help American businesses reach a growing customer base abroad while supporting our economy at home.  The rest of the world is not standing still and the United States must lead. I look forward to swift, bipartisan action on this critical and important legislation in the House of Representatives.”