Leslie Sarasin Presented Benefits of a Revitalized Trade Agreement for American Consumers
WASHINGTON, DC – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie Sarasin today joined 18 other association leaders of the retail, agriculture, automotive, and services industries in urging the U.S. Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted the joint press conference emphasizing how the Agreement is critical to our economic future, giving certainty to businesses, workers and consumers.
Sarasin said in her remarks, “Thanks in part to our expanded trade with Mexico and Canada, our U.S. produce departments have been transformed over the past 30 years. FMI members are now able to offer safe, high quality and affordable fruits and vegetables year-round and not just during the limited U.S. growing seasons. U.S. grocery shoppers can wander the produce section in January and find groceries that allow them to eat like it’s a June day. This transformation has taken place at the same time as new markets have opened and expanded for U.S. growers; so much so, that the United States food and agriculture economy now supports more than 45 million jobs and $152 billion in exports every year.”
Sarasin expressed pride in joining industry groups to support U.S. jobs and enable food retailers to keep feeding families and enriching the lives of American consumers. She said, “The [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement] maintains and secures the existing supply chain, resulting in continued growth in U.S. food and beverage exports and strengthens our food safety efforts.”
A link to a recording of the press conference can be found: here.
A link to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement coalition letter can be found here.
Press conference attendees included:
Gov. Matt Blunt, President, American Automotive Policy Council
John Bode, President & CEO, Corn Refiners Association
Steve Caldeira, President & CEO, Household & Commercial Products Association
Mary Kate Cunningham, Vice President, Public Policy, American Society of Association Executives
Thomas J. Donohue, CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Michael Dykes, President & CEO, International Dairy Foods Association
Kip Eideberg, Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Don Erickson, CEO, Security Industry Association
Donna Harman, President & CEO, American Forest & Paper Association
Michael Johnson, President & CEO, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
Lawrence Jones, Vice President, International, Edison Electric Institute
George Lowe, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, American Gas Association
Jim McCarthy, President & CEO, North American Millers' Association
Joseph M. McGuire, President & CEO, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Ned Monroe, President & CEO, The Vinyl Institute
Duane L. Musser, Vice President, Government Relations, National Roofing Contractors Association
Nancy O'Liddy, Director, Government Affairs, Transportation Intermediaries Association
Leslie Sarasin, President & CEO, Food Marketing Institute
Matt Shay, President & CEO, National Retail Federation
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