Trade negotiations are especially important to the U.S. computer and information technology industries.
Imports are also important.
Imports help keep inflation in check, give consumers a greater choice of goods and services, create jobs in areas such as retailing, distribution and transportation, and allow U.S. companies and workers to use the best technology available so they can increase their productivity and competitiveness. The United States, however, is not keeping pace with our foreign competitors in opening up markets for U.S. industries. We are party to only two of the more than 130 Free Trade Agreements and 43 of the estimated 1,800 bilateral investment agreements in force today. We therefore call upon Congress and the Administration to work together on a bipartisan and constructive basis to secure Trade Promotion Authority as soon as possible. The high-tech sector is the largest merchandise exporter in the United States.