June 11, 2015

The Honorable The Honorable ’s First Congressional District Utah’s Third Congressional District 123 Cannon Building 2236 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Chris Stewart The Honorable Utah’s Second Congressional District Utah’s Fourth Congressional District 323 Cannon House Office Building 217 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representatives Bishop, Stewart, Chaffetz and Love

On behalf of the Utah business community, we write to request your support for legislation to grant the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). TPA legislation not only represents the most constructive area for bipartisan cooperation this year, but it is vital to economic growth and job creation both in Utah and in the .

A vote in support of TPA is a vote for Utah jobs. International trade is critical for national, state and local economies. As a relatively small state in the Intermountain West, Utah is a trade state accounting for one in five Utah jobs — 374,963 total — according to the Business Roundtable. And trade-related jobs are growing twice as fast as total employment.

Utah exported $16 billion in goods and $6.1 billion in services in 2013, including nonferrous metals, semiconductors and components, navigational and measuring instruments, medical devices, farm goods, travel services and many other products and services. Utah has 3,475 exporters, and 86 percent are small- and medium-sized businesses.

Trade agreements create a level playing field for Utah businesses to compete in a global economy. While the United States’ 20 trade agreement partners are home to just 6 percent of the world's population, they buy nearly half of all U.S. exports.

However, to make these growth-driving trade agreements a reality, Congress must first approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Under TPA, Congress has the ability to set negotiating objectives and require the executive branch to consult extensively with legislators during negotiations.

The logic of trade is simple. Without TPA, the U.S. cannot negotiate new trade agreements to open foreign markets, spur economic growth, and create American jobs. For the sake of growth and jobs, we urge you to support legislation to renew TPA and seize the benefits of a robust international trade agenda.

Sincerely,

Lane Beattie, President & CEO Derek Miller, President & CEO Salt Lake Chamber World Trade Center Utah

Rona Rahlf, President & CEO Jason Mathis, Executive Director Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Downtown Alliance

Holly Heffron Greg Bell, President & CEO South Jordan Chamber of Commerce Utah Hospital Association

Stan Parrish, President & CEO Todd Bingham, President Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce Utah Manufacturing Association

Lorraine Gregerson Mark Compton, President Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce Utah Mining Association

Mark R. Welcker, President Lehi Area Chamber of Commerce