AAPA: Trade Priorities and Accountability Act Good News for US Ports

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the voice of 160 seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, has praised the US Senate for passing the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015).

TPA-2015 establishes rigid rules for international trade negotiations to help the US deliver transparent, resilient and accountable trade agreements that will boost American exports and create new economic opportunities and jobs, AAPA says in a release.

”The prosperity of the United States is inextricably entwined with that of the rest of the world and international trade agreements provide stability and equity enabling increased trade,” said American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President and CEO Kurt Nagle.

”Port cargo activity accounts for over a quarter of the US economy and provides more than 23 million American jobs. AAPA believes this new trade legislation will help open the door to new markets for American goods and services, boost economic growth and generate additional well-paying jobs nationwide.”

AAPA has both independently, and in partnership with the Trade Benefits America coalition, strongly urged federal lawmakers to make TPA-2015 a priority. This is to open up a path to international trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), both of which AAPA supports.

”Ports are gateways to our regional and national economies, and connect American farmers, manufacturers and consumers to the world marketplace,” Nagle said.

”America’s ports are eager to help facilitate the increased trade that will be brought on by TPA-2015 and the trade agreements that will follow.”

Image: Port of LA/Facebook