Vermont Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty

Public Hearing: The Impact of International Trade Agreements on

Business Competition and Jobs in Vermont

Talking Points

The October 30, 2007 public hearing of the Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty will focus on the impact of international trade agreements on business competition and jobs in Vermont.  The Commission asks that interested parties review the following set of talking points and address any relevant points when testifying before the Commission. 

1.  Vermont had $3.8 billion of exports in 2006.

· If you represent a company, does your company or employer export goods?  To what countries do you export?

· What percentage of your business is related to exports?

· How many workers do you employ?  Do International Trade Agreements help your business?  If so, how?  If not, how?

· If you are an association, chamber of commerce, or other organization, do your members export goods?  How do trade agreements benefit your members?

2.   The U.S. Business Roundtable Report estimates that international trade supports 77,886 jobs in Vermont.

· Have international trade agreements helped your company or members of your association or organization add jobs? How?

· Have international trade agreements caused your company or members of your association or organization to lose jobs? If so, how?

· Briefly describe how trade agreements have otherwise impacted jobs at your company or companies that are members of your association or organization.

3.   The Vermont Department of Labor lists 1,600 jobs in Vermont that have qualified for Trade Adjustment Assistance when jobs were lost due to trade agreements between the United States and another country.

· If you know of a company that has lost jobs due to trade agreements, do you know if the company has been offered or utilized Trade Adjustment Assistance?

· If you are an employee of a company that lost jobs due to trade agreements, did your company assist you in learning about or qualifying for Trade Adjustment Assistance?

· Do you believe that additional assistance is needed for Vermonters that lose their jobs due to trade agreements?