U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) voted in favor of the job-creating free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea as a way to boost our economy and get people back to work by growing markets and opportunities for American-made goods.

“Free and fair trade is a no-cost economic stimulus package for agriculture and our entire economy,” Luetkemeyer said. “I will continue to support efforts that level the playing field and are beneficial to American agriculture, manufacturing and the economy at large. With these free and fair agreements in place, we can create jobs and fuel the economy without spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. At the end of the day it is simply not enough to buy American; we have to sell American.”  

The free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress and could have a significant impact on Missouri’s 9^th District. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 5,200 jobs in the 9^th District are directly supported by exports. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reports that manufacturers in the entire state of Missouri account for nearly 12 percent of the total output in the state, employing 9.2 percent of the workforce. In 2009, total output from manufacturing was $27.7 billion with the largest sector being food processing manufacturing.

Exports are critical to Missouri’s small businesses. According to NAM, in 2009 small business accounted for 85 percent of Missouri’s 4,710 exporters. Today 18 percent of Missouri’s manufacturing jobs are supported by manufactured exports, and since 2003 Missouri manufacturing exports have grown by 64 percent, trending just slightly behind the national average of 70 percent. 

The free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea offer an opportunity to expand market access for Missouri goods and services. According to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, Missouri’s exports to Colombia increased by 72 percent and 132 percent nationwide for the years 1997 to 2010. Missouri’s exports to Panama increased by 232 percent and 295 percent for U.S. exports in the same time period, while Missouri’s exports to South Korea grew by 415 percent and 55 percent for exports nationwide.

In fact, 42 percent of all U.S. jobs are connected to international trade. Every $1 billion in exports generates 25,000 new jobs spanning all sectors of the economy. Jobs related to exports pay 15 to 17 percent more, and trade has lowered prices and increased the purchasing power of an average American family of four by $10,000.

Without adding one dime of new government spending, these trade agreements could create 250,000 American jobs. The independent U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that implementation of the three trade agreements would increase U.S. exports by at least $13 billion and add at least $10 billion to U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

“For over three years our nation has stood by and watched our competitors strike trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, eroding our competitiveness and market share.  With the House of Representatives’ vote today, American agriculture is one step closer to a more level playing field in these markets and greater export opportunities.  We appreciate Congressman Luetkemeyer’s support,” said Blake Hurst, president of Missouri Farm Bureau.

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