Twenty-three state governors and two from U.S. territories urged House and Senate leadership to approve three pending free-trade agreements, and reinstate the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and the president's fast-track trade negotiation authority.
"Export-related jobs pay better than non-exporting industries, and, with nearly 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside the U.S., exports have been the focus of increased job growth in recent years," the governors said in a letter.
The governors highlighted the trade balance benefits of existing U.S. FTAs with Chile, Singapore, Australia, Israel and Jordan. They believe that similar benefits will come from the approval of FTAs with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
