Quigley, Pritzker Hear from Local Businesses on Trade
CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) joined Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at a roundtable discussion hosted by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to hear how international trade impacts Chicago businesses – from increasing exports and the free flow of data across borders, to strengthening intellectual property rights and imposing restrictions on state owned enterprises.
“By opening rapidly expanding markets with millions of new middle-class consumers in parts of the world like the Asia-Pacific, we will unlock opportunities for American workers and businesses,” said Rep. Quigley. “Businesses in Chicago of all sizes and across all industries have the opportunity to benefit from expanded trade opportunities that will create jobs in Chicago and Illinois. In my home district alone, exports support more than 100,000 jobs. Imagine how many more high-quality jobs we can create by breaking down the barriers that prevent Chicago-made goods and services from entering new markets. Thank you to the Chicagoland Chamber for hosting today’s roundtable, to the many businesses for their insight and leadership, and a special thank you to Secretary Pritzker for taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with all of us.”
"It was a pleasure to join Congressman Quigley and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for a robust discussion about the benefits of new trade agreements for America's businesses and workers," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. "The President's trade agenda is focused on enhancing American competitiveness and setting the conditions for the U.S. economy, our businesses and our workforce to thrive in the 21st century. Ensuring that our companies have access to some of the fastest-growing markets in the world is critical to the success of our firms and our workers. Simultaneously, these new agreements afford us the opportunity to set the standards for global trade far into the future."
“As negotiations over the Trans Pacific Partnership come to a close, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Congressman Mike Quigley are working hard to ensure that the final agreement lives up to the high standards set through the recently passed Trade Promotion Authority,” said Theresa E. Mintle, President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “As the sixth largest export market in the U.S., Secretary Pritzker and Congressman Quigley understand the importance of trade to the Chicago area and want to know how businesses in the region will be impacted by TPP. This roundtable discussion provided an opportunity for Chicago businesses to inform the Secretary and the Congressman on what is needed to ensure Chicago remains a hub for trade and exports.”
Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker attend discussion hosted by Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
From left to right – U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Theresa E. Mintle.
Other participants in the roundtable included representatives from AT&T, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Bank, Boeing, Microsoft, UPS, Walmart, and Frigid Fluid.
The mission of the Department of Commerce is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. As part of the Obama administration’s economic team, the Secretary of Commerce serves as the voice of U.S. business within the President’s Cabinet. The Department works with businesses, universities, communities, and the Nation’s workers to promote job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for Americans. Through its 12 bureaus and nearly 47,000 employees located in all 50 states and territories and more than 86 countries worldwide, the Department administers critical programs that touch the lives of every American.
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce combines the power of people with their legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. They focus on delivering value for their members, making Chicagoland a world-class place to live and work.
Rep. Quigley is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of House members that supports our nation’s manufacturers with policies that foster growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. Most recently, Rep. Quigley joined Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry & Analysis Marcus Jadotte at a roundtable discussion hosted by Navistar International Corporation, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) to hear how trade and exports impacts manufacturers in Chicago. In May, Rep. Quigley joined Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet to tour Howe Corporation and hear how trade and exports impact small businesses in Chicago. He also visited Summit Industries Inc., a small business located in Illinois’ fifth district, in April with Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) Chairman Fred Hochberg to learn about the business and how the Ex-Im Bank has helped Summit Industries grow their export business and create good jobs in the district. Rep. Quigley has toured many manufacturing plants in the district to highlight the manufacturing industry in Illinois, including Fresenius Kabi, Nestlé, SiPi Metals Corporation, and A.M. Castle & Co. Rep. Quigley is committed to policy initiatives that protect American workers and support American jobs while promoting our interests and values abroad.
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