Senator Dodd Joins Other Former DNC Chairs and Third Way to Support Trade Promotion Authority

Yesterday, MPAA’s Chairman and CEO Senator Dodd signed onto a letter with other former DNC Chairs and Third Way to support granting President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The letter explains why TPA is a key step towards finalizing the TPP, a trade agreement that will boost America’s economy and global competiveness. Governor Ed Rendell, Governor Roy Romer, Senator Paul Kirk, Jr., Joe Andrew, Donald Fowler, and David Wilhelm are the other signatories. 

Noting that TPA is a bipartisan tradition dating back to FDR’s Presidency, the letter makes the case that TPA clears the path for the TPP trade agreement. The letter continues to point out that the TPP agreement is especially important because it is designed to level the playing field for American workers and businesses in the global marketplace, while also setting high-standards that will increase economic activity. By supporting TPA and, ultimately TPP, the letter states:  “We are also promoting our values such as protecting the environment, standing up for workers, supporting innovation and creativity through robust intellectual property rights, increasing transparency and inclusiveness, preserving a free and open internet, expanding access to innovative and generic medicines, and protecting consumers and small business.”

The former DNC chairs and Third Way continue, “Every $1 billion of U.S. exports supports between 5,400 and 5,900 U.S. jobs, and these jobs pay up to 18 percent more than non-export-related jobs. “

Taking a look at the film and television industry – a robust economic sector built on IP protections – provides an even clearer picture of how a high-standard and commercially-meaningful TPP will benefit American workers.  The U.S. motion picture industry is one of the most highly competitive US industries around the entire world, exporting six times what it imports. When the content produced in the U.S. reaches more international markets and is distributed through legitimate channels, that economic growth means high-paying jobs here at home. In fact, the workers within the core business of producing, marketing, manufacturing, and distributing movies and TV shows earn an average annual wage of $84,000 in the United States. That figure is almost 70% higher than the average national salary.

Establishing TPA is key to securing the trade benefits of a high-standard TPP agreement that will allow creativity and innovation to even further benefit American workers.

Here’s a link to the full letter.

Pictured above: A behind the scenes shot of Disney’s “McFarland, USA”