WASHINGTON –The American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) – representing its member companies Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company – applauds Congress for passing free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, as well as reauthorizing the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
“In particular, we thank the administration and Congress for their hard work to improve the auto provisions of the Korea free trade agreement and for approving all three agreements,” AAPC President Matt Blunt said. “These free trade agreements will further open important markets for Chrysler, Ford and GM exports, and protect American jobs. Our companies make the best cars and trucks on the road and we are excited for the opportunities these agreements represent.”
The American Automotive Policy Council, Inc. (AAPC) is a Washington, D.C.- based non-profit trade association that represents the common public policy interests of its member companies: Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company.
Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Bill Visnic has the following take on the trade deal:
“It’s long been believed the South Korean market was not a level playing field for U.S. automakers, but the version of the Free Trade Agreement bill approved by Congress today addresses most of the key structural trade restrictions that limited access. Previous tariffs, taxes and other restrictions that made it difficult for mainstream American vehicles to be affordable and competitive in the South Korean market will be cut back and eventually eliminated, giving American-made imported vehicles a better chance to compete.”
Earlier this year Edmunds.com offered an analysis for how the Korean Free Trade Agreement is resonating within the auto industry. The full analysis can be found athttp://www.autoobserver.com/
Ford Motor Company’s President and CEO Alan Mulally issued the following statement on the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement:
“Last night’s approval of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will open new opportunities for Ford to reach even more Korean customers by selling them more American-made Focuses, Tauruses, Mustangs, Escapes and Explorers, among other cars and trucks.
“This would not be possible without the improvements made last year to increase transparency and address trade policies. We deeply appreciate the tireless efforts of the Obama Administration and Congress to both improve the agreement and make this opportunity a reality.”
