Opening Statement of the Hon. Jim Ramstad, a Representative in Congress from the State of Minnesota

Hearing on President Bush's Trade Agenda for 2002

February 7, 2002

Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this important hearing on the President’s trade agenda for opening foreign markets for American products.

In this difficult and challenging time, it is absolutely critical to job creation and our economic security to expand trade and market America’s goods and services to the world’s consumers.

The House took an important step forward in December when it passed Trade Promotion Authority for the President.  I hope the Senate will act soon on this critical tool for American job creation.

Over 25% of the growth in our national economy over the last decade is tied directly to international trade.  Exports from my home state of Minnesota have increased over $6 billion in the last decade.  Over 270,000 jobs in Minnesota manufacturing exist because of trade, and trade-related jobs pay 13 to 18% more than other jobs.

The U.S. is rapidly falling behind in our efforts to sell our products abroad.  We are a party to just 3 of the nearly 130 free trade agreements currently in force around the world.  And while our competitors continue to negotiate free trade agreements with the rest of the world, the U.S. remains outside the process because of a lack of Trade Promotion Authority for our President.

I appreciate Ambassador Zoellick’s testimony today concerning the trade challenges and opportunities ahead.  I admire his excellent leadership of USTR, which has already led to a successful WTO Ministerial Meeting in Doha, progress on laying the groundwork for a Free Trade Area of the Americas, and successful free trade agreement negotiations with our close trading partners.

I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues on a trade agenda that will create high-quality jobs and open markets for American businesses and workers.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.