TPP takes time, cost out of trade

Despite the political rhetoric, facts about trade still stand: The TPP will take time, cost and complexity out of trade, especially for small and medium sized businesses, while stimulating economic growth in South Sound.

As a business leader in our community, I write on behalf of the 900-plus UPS employees here in the South Sound to express support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and to encourage Congressman Denny Heck to also support it.

As the November elections grow closer, the TPP — and trade in general — has become a hot topic among candidates and in the media. My business knows first-hand how trade impacts jobs and our community. For example, we estimate that every 22 packages that cross a border supports one job in UPS’s package operation, making trade critical to the future of UPS and our employees in the 10th Congressional District and over 6,500 in Washington state.

On average, our export volume has increased by 20 percent to countries with which the U.S. has implemented free trade agreements.

TPP will eliminate 18,000 tariffs on made-in-America goods, and support small businesses by removing customs and other barriers that disproportionately affect their ability to compete in global markets.

I urge Rep. Heck and his colleagues to approve TPP during this session of Congress. Our businesses and workers already face competition around the world, including in fast-growing Asia-Pacific countries. Delay is not in the interest of the United States or our economy.

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 6:41 AM with the headline "TPP takes time, cost out of trade."