Washington Council on International Trade
A CREDIBLE AND INDEPENDENT VOICE
WCIT is the primary information resource on international trade issues for Washington State
WCIT 12th Annual D.C. Door Knock A Great Success!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 2009
The WCIT 12th Annual Door Knock was an impactful one-day trade advocacy event aimed at supporting WA companies and their international trade priorities and concerns through discussions with each of Washington’s congressional members. The WCIT Door Knock highlighted strong constituent support for trade policy that is critical to Washington’s economic health. It let our congressional members know they have strong support for their efforts to provide leadership on effective trade policy.
U.S. trade policy has come under increasing fire from critics and populist forces that encourage isolationist policies. Never has it been more important to ensure we are providing support for open markets and global trade opportunities for Washington’s businesses and farmers. Washington businesses have already been hurt by an increase in tariffs because of protectionist policy. The WCIT would like to thank all of the organizations that attended and made this Door Knock a great success!
Efficient and Impactful Meetings:
- Started the day with a briefing by Obama Administration officials and D.C. trade lobbyists.
- On the Hill, the WCIT delegation a reserved briefing room in the Capitol building. Washington Congressional members came to meet with us in scheduled meetings throughout the day.
- Participated in a luncheon for a candid exchange of views and the chance to get to know the legislative staffers who manage trade issues for our Members. – they are helpful people to know!
President’s 2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program
These documents have been released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Highlights of 2009 Agenda, “Making Trade Work for American Families”, include:
- Promotion of adherence to the rules based international trading system, with introduction of new concepts, including increased transparency and broader participation in the debate
- Developing a plan of action to address pending free trade agreements (FTAs). The Administration hopes to move on Panama quickly, and establish benchmarks for progress on Colombia and South Korean FTAs
- Making trade an important policy tool for achieving progress on national energy and environmental goals
- Assuring that trade agreements are addressing the major unresolved uses that are responsible for trade frictions
- Building on existing FTAs and Bilateral Investment Treaties in a responsible and transparent manner
- Upholding U.S. commitments to be a strong partner to developing countries, especially the poorest developing countries
Recent Trade Headlines
►U.S. Trading Partners Complain About Protectionism
AP, June 8, 2009
►Mexican Truckers Sue U.S. Over Trucking Ban
AP, June 2, 2009
►U.S. Eyes Asia Trade Vistas After Panama, Doha: Kirk
Reuters, May 18, 2009
►World Bank Says Trade Decline May be Bottoming
Reuters, May 6, 2009
►WTO Chief: Trade Barriers Will Prolong Crisis
Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2009
Recent Op-Eds & Editorials
►Free Trade Could Help Lift Us Out of Current Economic Mire
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08), The News Tribune, June 25, 2009
►Trade Agreements Needed as Critical Economic Boost
Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03),
Omaha World Herald, June 21, 2009
►The Peril of Buy American
The New York Times, June 3, 2009
►U.S. Companies Hit by Repercussions of Buy American
Sarah O'Connor, The Financial Times, May 26, 2009
►Free Trade, Green Trade
Daniel Price, The New York Times, May 6, 2009
►Korea and America Need Trade
Jin Park, Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2009
►Strengthen U.S. - China Trade Ties
Chen Deming, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2009