Members of the Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus (CPTC), a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting trade as a tool to spur economic growth and job creation in the United States, hosted a trade policy briefing Wednesday with the Panamanian Ambassador to the United States Jaime Aleman. The meeting was attended by more than a dozen bipartisan members of Congress, including CPTC Chairman Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).

"Trade is vital part of America’s economic engine. Trade fuels growth, creates jobs and supports millions of American workers," said Congressman Cuellar. "We are continuing to build the political will to pass the U.S. Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. These meetings ensure momentum is not lost to pass this and other economically beneficial trade policies for America."

This week’s meeting was a second in a series between CPTC Members of Congress and diverse organizations involved in international trade. Members and the Ambassador engaged in a positive dialogue over the status of the agreement and several pro-trade lawmakers indicated that they will persist in their effort to pass the agreement this year.

In 2007, the United States and Panama signed a Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) that would improve U.S. access into Panama’s service-based economy. Panama's legislature approved the TPA overwhelmingly by 58 to 4 in July 2007. If approved by the U.S. Congress, the agreement would resolve tariff and other trade barriers between the two countries across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, technology and agriculture. A report by the United States International Trade Commission concluded that the TPA would greatly increase U.S. exports to Panama by removing tariffs on those products. Currently, 96% of imports from Panama enter the United States duty-free.

"This trade agreement will offer tremendous opportunities to the United States and to Texas," said Congressman Cuellar. "By making U.S. exports to Panama duty-free, we can spur economic growth at home that sustains and creates jobs. Now is the time to pass meaningful trade policies that benefit the American people and spark economic growth."

The bipartisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus (CPTC) is dedicated to advancing international trade policy that keeps the United States globally competitive. For more information on Congressman Cuellar’s involvement with other trade issues, please visit: /Issues/Issue/?IssueID=3829

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111 th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.p>