Manufacturers: Border Agreement Will Boost Exports

Washington, D.C., 12/07/11 -  National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued this statement on the border security and competitiveness agreement announced today by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper: 
  
“Manufacturers in the United States continue to face growing barriers and delays when shipping across the northern border. This is limiting our export growth and hurting job creation. Implementing new policies and making needed changes on the border will help streamline the shipment of goods across the border, allowing us to expand exports to help meet the goal of doubling exports by 2014.

Both governments have been working together with industry on solutions that will improve competitiveness and enhance security. The agreement announced today includes many recommendations from the NAM to expand trusted trader programs, reduce red tape and expand trade infrastructure – all of which will improve the flow of goods across the border from manufacturers in the U.S.

Manufacturers urge President Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline as soon as possible. This important energy infrastructure project across the northern border will create more than 118,000 jobs and will provide a needed, affordable source of energy for manufacturers. We need jobs, and Keystone XL will help put Americans back to work immediately.”