This tactic has long been used by labor unions. We also created a China Action Toolkit on our Web site which provides talking points, sample letters and other resources for our members to share with their employees. This type of readily-accessible information has enabled us to counter some of labor's trade myths. For instance, the AFL-CIO called the vote a threat to American workers' jobs and wages. But the truth is that trade creates jobs, and companies that engage in trade pay higher wages.
Labor also says trade benefits only large international corporations.
So we brought several small manufacturers to Washington for a roundtable that highlighted the fact that 82 percent of U.S. companies exporting to China are small and medium-sized firms. The roundtable also noted that small and medium-sized firms account for 35 percent of the value of all U.S. exports to China. These companies cannot afford high tariffs, and most need lower trade barriers with China. After the vote, supportive members of Congress told us they would not have been successful without the unprecedented efforts of the business community. The China PNTR victory in the House shows us how much more we have to do.