September 20, 2011 Contact: Brett Hall 334-318-6081
MONTGOMERY, Alabama—It’s time to strike while the issue is hot and now is the time for President Obama to send the Free Trade Agreements to Congress for ratification.
“The President says he’s serious about creating jobs. The Free Trade Agreements will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, and without a bailout or a new federal bureaucracy,” said Commissioner John McMillan of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.
As many as 15,000 good-paying jobs will come to Alabama as a result of ratification of three Free Trade Agreements, according to McMillan, who said that Alabama farmers and agribusinesses will directly benefit from the free trade legislation.
"International trade means jobs creation, especially for our farmers and agribusinesses in Alabama," said McMillan, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. "Good-paying jobs for Alabama will result from open and free trade with the countries involved, South Korea, Panama and Colombia, as products from the region’s manufacturing and agribusiness industries are in demand in those markets."
McMillan noted the third agreement, with South Korea, was significant due to the investment Hyundai Corp. has made in Montgomery. "U.S. Commerce Department officials estimate 250,000 new American jobs would result from ratification of the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea," McMillan said. "Alabama is well positioned to benefit from expanded trade with South Korea, with whom we have good relationships."
To date, the Obama administration has yet to send the agreements to the U.S. Senate where they must be ratified by a two-thirds vote. "This should be a major part of the President's jobs creation plan, as trade opportunities don't require government subsidies or new programs to implement," McMillan explained.
Chances are good for ratification of all three agreements, according to Commerce Department officials. Obama recently sent his jobs package to Congress, yet failed to add the Free Trade Agreements. McMillan called on Alabama’s congressional delegation to urge the White House to send the FTA to them for ratification. |