Free Trade Essential for Economic Growth

Conn Carroll / January 29, 2008

In his final State of the Union address, the President not only raised the politically contentious issue of making tangible progress on advancing pending free trade initiatives, but also highlighted the importance of freer trade in helping America weather today’s economic turbulence and in promoting American competitiveness in the future.

Identified as a top priority, U.S. leadership in concluding the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization this year would – of all that remains on the free trade agenda – go the farthest toward allowing America to continue to reap the benefits of globalization and lead the world in how globalization progresses and evolves.

Lowering tariffs around the world and opening new markets not only helps U.S. companies remain competitive, but also enables America’s families to stretch their incomes further by having access to a wider variety of less expensive goods. Freer trade spurs economic growth, job creation and boosts living standards.
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