I’ve spent every day of my presidency fighting to grow our economy and strengthen our middle class. That means making sure our workers have a fair shot to get ahead here at home, and a fair chance to compete around the world. My approach to trade has been guided by a unifying principle: leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses, so we can export more products stamped Made in America all over the world that support higher-paying American jobs here at home.Over the summer, Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together to help the United States negotiate agreements for free and fair trade that would support our workers, our businesses, and our economy as a whole. When more than 95 percent of our potential customers live outside our borders, we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy. We should write those rules, opening new markets to American products while setting high standards for protecting workers and preserving our environment.That’s what the agreement reached today in Atlanta will do. Trade ministers from the 12 nations that make up the Trans-Pacific Partnership finished negotiations on an agreement that reflects America’s values and gives our workers the fair shot at success they deserve.This partnership levels the playing field for our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers by eliminating more than 18,000 taxes that various countries put on our products. It includes the strongest commitments on labor and the environment of any trade agreement in history, and those commitments are enforceable, unlike in past agreements. It promotes a free and open Internet. It strengthens our strategic relationships with our partners and allies in a region that will be vital to the 21st century. It’s an agreement that puts American workers first and will help middle-class families get ahead.Once negotiators have finalized the text of this partnership, Congress and the American people will have months to read every word before I sign it. I look forward to working with lawmakers from both parties as they consider this agreement. If we can get this agreement to my desk, then we can help our businesses sell more Made in America goods and services around the world, and we can help more American workers compete and win.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews and Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended a ceremony today to recognize new business deals and commitments worth more than $20 billion between U.S. and Indonesian companies. A number of these projects will help more people benefit from clean electricity, while others will support transportation infrastructure and introduce new financial products.
Today’s announcement builds upon the already strong commercial relationship between the United States and Indonesia, with bilateral trade reaching $27 billion in 2014.
“The United States is committed to strengthening commercial and economic ties through the Asia-Pacific, which is a critical dimension of the president’s focus on this fast-growing region,” Deputy Secretary Andrews said. “U.S. companies are keenly interested in Indonesia and welcome the opportunity to fully participate in and contribute to Indonesia’s economic success. The agreements and other commitments announced today will introduce more U.S. technologies and services to Indonesia and create jobs in both of our countries.”
U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake stated, “I was delighted to witness these announcements and agreements which further the trade and investment ties between our two countries. It reflects the broad range of commercial engagement we enjoy from clean energy to consumer goods to finance and transportation and adds new momentum to our trade and investment ties.”
The following U.S. companies participated in the event:
- Bechtel Corporation
- Cargill
- Caterpillar
- Crane Currency
- Cheniere Energy
- Coca-Cola
- Fluidic Energy
- General Electric
- Hubbell Power Systems
- Jarden Zinc Products
- MasterCard
- Philip Morris
- SkyChaser Energy
- Swift Energy
- UPC Renewables Group
