During a meeting of the AAPA's U.S. Legislative Policy Council in March, members expressed their strong support for legislation authorizing PNTR for China, and ports are currently mobilizing to help win this battle. Congressional authorization of PNTR would benefit all Western Hemisphere ports. AAPA has a long-standing position in support of normal trade relations with China. U.S. public ports authorities ranging from Boston, Massachusetts, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Bellingham, Washington, are contacting their members of Congress prior to the U.S. House of Representatives' vote during the week of May 22, supporting Congressional passage of legislation to give China permanent normal trade relations status. Under the agreement, China has agreed to slash its industrial tariffs by more than 60 percent, remove discriminatory taxes and regulation, protect intellectual property and open up its retail, distribution and marketing system, giving U.S.-produced goods and services access to 1.3 billion consumers.
China is the most rapidly growing among the top ten U.S. export markets.
The American Association of Port Authorities represents more than 150 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the Association represents over 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA port members are public entities mandated by law to serve public purposes. Port authorities facilitate waterborne commerce and contribute to local, regional and national economic growth.