SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association Issues Statement on House of Representatives’ Approval of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)

June 18, 2015

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives advanced Trade Promotion Authority Thursday. William R. Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association made the following remarks in response to the vote:

“The passage of H.R. 2146 by the U.S. House of Representatives is another positive step toward granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). TPA continues to be an important tool that would give trade negotiators the flexibility they need to reach agreements that build on positive trends in U.S. plastics manufacturing and in the American economy at large. The plastics industry considers TPA a critical step in ensuring the approval of a robust Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and looks forward to other agreements that break down barriers to our industry’s exports.

“Exports are critical to domestic growth, and to the futures of the U.S. plastics industry’s nearly 900,000 employees. The plastics industry enjoys a trade surplus of $20.6 billion with America’s twenty existing free trade agreement (FTA) partner countries, a figure that can grow with the enactment of future agreements. Research shows that manufacturing jobs tied to products destined for export pay roughly 15 percent more than jobs unrelated to exporting.

“SPI applauds the House for seeing the value of TPA and looks forward to working with lawmakers to foster continued growth benefiting American workers and companies.”

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Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.

"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. "Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."