America's Equipment Manufacturers Praise U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued a statement today following the President's announcement of an export agreement with South Korea:

"On behalf of America's equipment manufacturing industry, we applaud President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea on reaching a pro-American export agreement that is expected to increase annual exports of American goods by up to $11 billion and support at least 70,000 American jobs. Eliminating trade barriers and allowing our farmers and manufacturers to sell their products in new markets is vital to significantly improving our economy.

"Although we are pleased by the progress made between our two countries, Congress must take immediate action in order to reap the benefits of this agreement. America's manufacturing community calls on Congress to enact the U.S.-Korea export policy, and to simultaneously pass the additional pro-America export agreements for consideration before them, like those with Colombia and Panama. Each of these new export policies will allow our American-made products to be sold overseas, stimulating economic growth and generating U.S. jobs, something every Member of Congress should be proud to be a part of."