With a stagnant economy still Public Enemy No.1, one of the most important developments I expect in 2011 is a renewed focus in government on the benefits of trade agreements. Whether bilateral free trade agreements, or multilateral regional agreements such as the Transpacific Partnership, it is essential that barriers to trade be reduced, if not eliminated.
The challenge for our New England international trade community is to drive home the point that trade isn’t a bad thing, that many U.S. exporters depend on imported raw materials and components, that hard-pressed American families depend on low-cost imported clothing and footwear for their children, and that the same apparel and footwear sourced overseas can build an economy that hungers for, and will consume, U.S.-made products.
We are working to urge politicians on both sides of the aisle to lend a sympathetic ear to any ideas that will help dig us out of the financial hole so 2011 will be the year in which we can work toward meaningful trade agreements.