The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and its member companies applaud Congress for taking bipartisan action on the Free Trade Agreements for Colombia, Panama and Korea. The House of Representatives and the Senate both voted on Oct. 12 to approve the measures which will now go to the president for his signature.

“Not only will these agreements help level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers, increasing their global competitiveness, but there is widespread agreement that these export agreements will help job growth and boost our overall economy,” said Dennis Slater, president of AEM. “High tariffs on U.S. exports have stunted job growth in manufacturing and other sectors. Seeing these agreements move forward is crucial for our member companies to have the ability to compete in vital global markets.”

As a critical initiative of AEM’s I Make America campaign, the association has worked directly and with industry partners urging Congress to quickly approve these long awaited agreements. “It is encouraging to see a bipartisan effort to move these through the legislative process,” Slater said. “We now look forward to a presidential signature on these agreements, and seeing them quickly put into force.”