| 5,000 Great Reasons
The Trade Promotion Agreement with Peru
is a big deal for small business
Nearly 5,000 small and medium size companies exported goods worth $775 million to Peru last year. These companies represent over 80 percent of total U.S. companies that export to country.
There is a way to further accelerate small business export growth to Peru. The trade agreement with Peru will create opportunities for smaller U.S. firms in ways that go far beyond just cutting tariffs. It will eliminate non-tariff barriers, open services markets, and provide procurement opportunities to America's small businesses. Consider these testimonials from firms that export to Peru:
''Sometimes we lose business to companies from other countries that pay zero duty. For example, Canada has trade agreements with Peru that make Canadian products less expensive. Passage of a free trade agreement with Peru will make us more competitive and allow us to sell more U.S. products.''
Alfredo Sansore; Vice President International
A&K Railroad Materials - Houston, TX and Salt Lake City, UT
Number of U.S. employees: 350
Years of involvement in Peru: 25
Major products sold to Peru: Rails and track materials for railroad, mine, and, crane applications
''Eliminating duties will make us more competitive. All our employees' jobs are dependent upon international trade, and anything that can be done to reduce trade barriers will help our Kentucky-based operations grow.''
Susie Givens; President
Givens International Drilling Supplies - Corydon, KY
Number of employees: 9
Years of operation in Peru: 4
Major products sold to Peru: Drilling equipment and supplies
''Given an even playing field where our products can be sold at reduced tariff rates, I am confident our sales will soar. That translates into more jobs at our factory in Pennsylvania.''
Edward Vlutters; Manager, International Distributors and Director, International Division
Cannondale Bicycle Corporation - Bedford, PA and Bethel, CT
Number of U.S. employees: 450
Years of involvement in Peru: 10
Major products sold to Peru: High-end bicycles and related clothing and accessories
''Passage of a free trade agreement will eliminate enormous hurdles currently in place, open up new opportunities, and allow us to competitively market our products.''
Charles L. Hicks Jr.; President
Interphase Technologies, Inc. - Soquel, CA
Number of employees: 15
Years of involvement in Peru: 10
Major products sold to Peru: Scanning sonar and navigational chart plotters
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|  | |  | | Did you know?
| | | Without PTPA U.S. products entering Peru face actual tariffs of between 12% and 52%.
After implementation of the PTPA, tariffs on all U.S. agricultural products exported to Peru will be eliminated.
Source: Agriculture Coalition for U.S.-Peru Trade
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| | | | Overheard
| | | ''The Peru FTA signals a dramatic step in a new trade policy - one that takes on the essential need to expand the sharing of the benefits of expanded trade and addressing its downsides - by including for the first time enforceable worker rights and environmental standards.''
-Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI)
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