(WASHINGTON, D.C.)— With the vote to grant Permanent Normal
Trading Relations (PNTR) status to China just weeks away and
momentum for its passage growing, The Business Roundtable is
launching a lobbying and public relations blitz in targeted
districts of members of Congress to persuade wavering
lawmakers to support trade with China.
The multi-faceted campaign includes:
- Studies being prepared for all 50 states outlining the
impact of increased trade with China on each state and its
various industries
- More than 30 scheduled meetings led by representatives
of small, medium and big businesses with their members of
Congress in their districts during the upcoming recess
- Major TV, radio and print advertising nationally, in
key congressional districts of undecided members across
the country, and in the Washington, D.C. market
- Targeted Internet advertising and grassroots outreach
aimed at generating e-mail communications between
constituents and their members of Congress
“Congress has a historic choice: to open China, the
world’s largest marketplace, to American goods, services,
ingenuity and democratic values – or to listen to the voices
of fear and dangerously isolate the world’s most populous
nation,” said BRT President Samuel L. Maury. “We are going
where the votes are. By focusing our efforts in the
congressional districts of undecided members of Congress, we
hope to tip the balance in favor of trade with China – trade
that will benefit members’ constituents through jobs and new
economic opportunities.”
The U.S. House of Representatives is in recess from April
14 until May 1 – the Senate for part of that time – and the
effort will run in the congressional districts during that
entire period. These latest efforts complement BRT’s ongoing
national grassroots trade education campaign that has
mobilized thousands of individuals and businesses across
America to call on Congress to pass PNTR.
A new 30-second TV ad, “Working
Americans,” shows the face of America at work through a
series of individuals who smoothly “morph” from one to the
other throughout the spot. Each worker contributes a line,
building the case that trade with China works for America.
“Trade with China will open new frontiers, build a better
future for me and my family,” the ad notes. “I work in
America, and trade with China works for me. Let Congress
know that trade with China works for working Americans.”
All the BRT advocacy materials and ads also feature a
toll-free number (1-877-611-TRADE) that is building
grassroots support for passage of PNTR legislation.
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The Business Roundtable is an association of chief
executive officers of leading corporations with a combined
workforce of more than 10 million employees in the United
States. The chief executives are committed to advocating
public policies that foster vigorous economic growth and a
dynamic global economy.