July 31, 2001

Washington, D.C. - Over a hundred small business owners will descend upon Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to support Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for President Bush.  The Small Business in Trade Day, organized by the Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC), will educate Congress about the increasing significance of world markets to the growth and vitality of America's small business and entrepreneurial sector, and why granting President Bush TPA is necessary to enhancing the competitive position of U.S. small firms in the world marketplace.

"Exporting goods and services abroad is big business for America's small business owners," said SBSC chairman Karen Kerrigan. "But with each passing day that that our President does not have the authority to negotiate favorable trade agreements on behalf of the U.S., is a lost opportunity for our small firms that find it too cumbersome and competitive to conduct business in the world marketplace," added Kerrigan.

Two-thirds of the firms participating in the export economy have less than 20 employees. Between 1987 and 1997, the number of U.S. small business exporters tripled from 65,900 to 202,185, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.  SBSC says small business activity abroad would pick up rapidly if President Bush were able to negotiate agreements that tore down tariffs and other trade barriers. However, the President has not had TPA or "fast-track" authority since it lapsed in 1994.  Since then, our major foreign competitors have had the upper hand in the world marketplace, cutting deals on an aggressive basis that give their businesses a competitive advantage over U.S.-based firms.

"It is imperative that the United States be as engaged in developing trade agreements as our foreign competitors.  Our small business owners, their workforce and entire economy will suffer.  Expanding markets is essential for small firms. Our elected officials should be doing all they can to help our business owners bring their products, services and all that small business stands for - freedom, economic opportunity and entrepreneurship -- abroad," stated Kerrigan.

Small Business Trade Day culminates in a visit to the White House where President Bush will address the group along with United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.  For more information about Trade and Small Business, please visit SBSC's website at www.sbsc.org, or call (202)-785-0238.

SBSC is a national small business advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital.