Today President Bush signed into law the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade, made the following comment on today’s signing. Earlier, the Finance Committee approved the bill on a unanimous, bipartisan vote.
“This agreement is a clear win for the United States. It will expand opportunities for U.S.
exports. It will strengthen U.S. security in the Middle East by further cementing our ties with Bahrain, a strong U.S. ally in the region. In addition, this agreement will build upon President Bush’s goal of completing a Middle East Free Trade Area by the year 2013. A Middle East Free Trade Area would offer improved market access for U.S. agricultural, industrial, and services products in a region of the world with a large, growing population.
“While the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement will benefit farmers and businesses throughout the United States, I’m pleased that it will have a direct impact on Iowa. For example, the HNI Corporation of Muscatine, Lennox’s residential heating and cooling products factory in Marshalltown, and the Midamar Corporation of Cedar Rapids, all anticipate gains from this agreement. I’m sure that this agreement will provide gains for other Iowa businesses as well."
Source: Ranking Member’s News
