Vision - September/October 2008 - (Page 25)

by Matthew Shaffer ] • [ newS froM waShington tech pOlicy Corporation poll found for the first time a majority of Americans view foreign trade as a threat to the economy. “Our country is at a crossroads. Americans see the benefit of overseas trade but are also worried what it means to their future,” said Shapiro. “Television commentators have used fear for decades to excite audiences, and now, for the first time, a majority of Americans believe trade is a threat to our economy.” Partial facts can indeed tell a frightening story, but the complete facts present a realistic picture. The reality is that the American economy is the strongest in the world because of trade. Driven by the hightech boom over the last 15 years the U.S. economy added 25 million jobs, had historically low unemployment and increased real wages. Standing in front of CEA’s bus Mayor Bloomberg said it best: “Protectionism only protects the few and only for a few years, and over the long run, it hurts us all. Trade on the other hand benefits everyone. Consumers win because free trade leads to better products and lower prices, our economy wins because free trade creates natural incentives for American companies to become more innovative, and American workers win because free trade creates good-paying jobs in this country. If we want to improve America’s standing and remain a nation of innovation and progress, we have to lead the way in breaking down barriers.” Seventy-five years ago Franklin D. Roosevelt reminded us that we have “nothing to fear but fear itself.” Those words remain as true today as they were in 1933. Americans must face irrational protectionist fears and allow the country to do business around the world in a way that allows Americans to compete and win in a global economy. To learn more about the bus, trade issues or visit the bus stop closest to you, see www.AmericaWinsWithTrade.com. • CEA Driving the Bus on International Trade “M y summer vacation is being spent on a bus,” says Gary Shapiro, CEA president and CEO. This is no yellow school bus, rather a fully operational mobile media unit which CEA is taking across the country. The 45-foot long, 13-foot high “America Wins with Trade” bus not only turns heads because of its size and colorful branding, but also is making its cross country trek running on bio-diesel fuel. The “America Wins with Trade” tour kicked off on July 21st in New York City at member company Audiovox and J&R Music and Computer World where New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke to the benefits of trade and held his weekly press conference. A Washington, DC launch followed the events in NYC. In Washington several U.S. and foreign officials spoke about international trade including Carolina Barco Isakson, the Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. and the Colombian Defense Minister who participated in support of trade and specifically the U.S.Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which currently is stalled in Congress. The Colombia FTA makes sense. Colombian goods already enter U.S. markets duty free. However, American industrial and consumer goods can face tariffs as high as 35 percent. Due to a globally integrated and www.ce.org competitive market, without FTAs, the CE sector is at a disadvantage when competing in international markets that charge such high tariffs. FTAs allow American businesses and workers to compete in international markets. Rolling Out the Message The bus will take the positive trade message to 28 states and the District of Columbia celebrating American business, innovation and the American worker on its seven week coast to coast tour. CEA member companies, federal, state, local and even international officials will be present at various bus stops across the country to help educate the public on the benefits of international trade. Both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention have been noted as bus stops at the end of the route. The tour was launched in response to growing concern from CEA member companies who say trade is increasingly in the crosshairs of public debate. International trade issues are of great concern to CEA and its membership as the CE industry is globally integrated and dependent on open markets. International trade must be promoted among Americans, as high-tech represents the fastest growing sector in the economy. Unfortunately, public perception is skewed. A recent CNN/Opinion Research New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and CEA’s Gary Shapiro talk about the benefits of trade. September/October 2008 25 http://www.AmericaWinsWithTrade.com http://www.ce.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vision - September/October 2008

Vision - September/October 2008 Contents Shapiro's Spectrum In this Issue The Economist Visionary C4 Trends Coming to a Neighborhood Near You IPv6: Connecting People and Things Israelis Spend Big on the Latest CE Devices Tech Speak Tech Policy CEA Newsline Going Global Eye on Business Market Insider Just the Stats

Vision - September/October 2008

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