| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Tita Freeman |
| March 17, 2005 |
(202) 496-3269 |
Democratic Support Signals Positive Momentum
on DR-CAFTA
Washington, DC - Business Roundtable today praised Congressman
Henry Cuellar (D-TX) for his decision to support the Dominican
Republican-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
"On behalf of the businesses and workers represented by
Business Roundtable, I would like to thank Congressman Cuellar
for his early support of DR-CAFTA," said Brigitte Schmidt
Gwyn, Business Roundtable Director of International Trade
& Investment Policy. "His decision is a clear demonstration
of the growing support for this agreement in Congress."
"Congressman Cuellar's support will be vital in building
the bipartisan coalition necessary to pass this agreement,"
added Gwyn. "We appreciate his recognition of how important
this agreement is for Texas and for the entire country."
The passage of DR-CAFTA will create economic opportunities
for U.S. businesses, agriculture and workers, while fostering
continued economic and political progress in Central America.
The DR-CAFTA countries represent the second largest market
for U.S. goods and services in the Western Hemisphere, behind
only Mexico and larger than Brazil. Under the terms of the
agreement, tariffs on 80 percent of U.S. imports to the region
will be removed immediately, with all tariffs eliminated within
10 years.
# # #
Business Roundtable (www.businessroundtable.org)
is an association of chief executive officers of leading corporations
with a combined workforce of more than 10 million employees
in the United States and $4 trillion in annual revenues. The
chief executives are committed to advocating public policies
that foster vigorous economic growth, a dynamic global economy,
and a well-trained and productive U.S. workforce essential
for future competitiveness.
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