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07272005
Partnership Weighs In on CAFTA
On July 26, the Partnership sent a letter to Congressman Tom Reynolds supporting the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), a bill that removes barriers to trade and opens markets to fair competition.
The Partnership’s support is based upon input from our members – especially those on our Manufacturer’s Council – in support of free trade. Our members have told us they believe free trade agreements such as CAFTA can enhance business opportunities for local companies.
Our support doesn’t come without hesitation, however. You’ll see in the letter below that we have concerns about the lackluster enforcement of existing trade agreements, and urge strong, quick action against unfair trade practices.
Congressman Reynolds has urged Partnership members to contact his office as soon as possible to weigh in on CAFTA and its potential impact on the Buffalo Niagara marketplace. He has asked that you include your name, company name and address in an email, and send your opinions to Amy Moore, Congressman Reynolds’ Legislative Assistant, at amy.moore@mail.house.gov.
In other news, two upcoming events of special note:
• On Wednesday, August 3, the Partnership is hosting a mayoral debate. Please join our council and committee chairs as they pose questions to the primary election candidates about the issues that matter most to you. This event is free and open to all Partnership members, but advance registration is required. For information, contact Partnership Events and Operations Coordinator, Charlene Janiga at 716.852.2762, ext. 470 or cjaniga@thepartnership.org.
• The 12th Annual Partnership Golf Outing is August 15th at the Park Country Club.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Rudnick
July 26, 2005
Congressman Thomas Reynolds
500 Essjay Road, Suite 260
Williamsville, NY 14221
Dear Tom,
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership strongly supports free and fair trade. Our members believe that they can compete with anyone in the global economy given a fair and equal chance to do so. Therefore, the Partnership also supports passage of the Dominican Republic - Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), because it removes barriers to trade and opens markets to fair competition. After polling our manufacturing members and hearing of their recognition of the opportunity for increased exports of agricultural products produced in the Buffalo Niagara region, we believe this treaty can result in enhanced business opportunities for our member companies, and, in turn, in job retention and expansion.
Our only hesitation in endorsing this treaty relates not to its provisions, but to a concern about enforcement of those provisions. The track record of the U.S. in enforcement of existing trade agreements is not particularly good, and thus our members are concerned that a similar situation may occur with CAFTA. Thus, we urge you to press those in key positions in the administration to bring enforcement actions where unfair trade practices are apparent, and to do so quickly and strongly.
We do not believe that past enforcement shortcomings are a reason to deny U.S. businesses an opportunity to expand their sales to Central America. Therefore, we urge you and our other Congressional representatives to vote in favor of this treaty.
Thanks for your leadership on this issue.
Sincerely yours,
Andrew J. Rudnick
/jev
cc: Congressman Brian Higgins
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
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