Erik Paulsen: “I thank the gentleman. It is difficult to overstate the importance of trade with other countries. The benefits of trade…”

“I thank the gentleman. It is difficult to overstate the importance of trade with other countries. The benefits of trade are huge and enormous for our economy. If you take all the trade agreements that we have with other countries around the world and you add them together, we have a trade surplus. If you take the nontrade agreements with the countries we don't have trade agreements with, we have a deficit. These agreements help us; they benefit us. There is no doubt that the U.S. has been on the sidelines in recent years. This gets us back in the game, making us create a healthier economy here at home, changing and making sure that our status as a global leader will be right back on top, higher-paying jobs, better- paying jobs. This is an opportunity also to make sure the United States is setting the rules for our economy, for the world economy, instead of China. Mr. Speaker, if you are for these things, you should be for this legislation. Trade promotion authority allows these agreements to move forward with congressional oversight.”