Trade is incredibly important to the technology industry. In 2014, Kansas accounted for $735 million and Missouri accounted for $569 million in tech exports and this affects our member-company’s bottom line. Trade Promotion Authority is crucial to the U.S. in pursuing international trade agreements that increase U.S. exports and jobs, by eliminating barriers in foreign markets and establishing rules to stop unfair trade practices.
TPA does not provide new power to the President, nor does it ratify any trade agreements; it simply sets out the procedures to be followed by the President in negotiating and submitting trade agreements to Congress for ratification.
It’s important to note, both Kansas and Missouri representatives unanimously voted YES for this legislation. Therefore, we would like to publicly thank Rep. Huelskamp (R-KS), Jenkins (R-KS), Yoder (R-KS), Pompeo (R-KS), Clay (D-MO), Wagner (R-MO), Luetkemeyer (R-KS), Hartzler (R-KS), Cleaver (D-MO), Graves (R-MO), Long (R-MO) and Smith (R-MO).
Now, we want to urge Senators Blunt (R-MO), McCaskill (D-MO), Moran (R-KS) and Roberts (R-KS) to support this important trade legislation in the Senate.
Thank you to CompTIA for providing information to this post. For additional information regarding TPA, please click here.