To the editor:

Even as our area is swept up in a heated Congressional race, we know there is still work to be done during this session of Congress – including on the issue of international trade.

Despite the political rhetoric, the facts about trade stand: the Trans-Pacific Partnership will take time, cost and complexity out of trade, especially for small and medium sized businesses, while stimulating much needed economic growth here in Southwest Florida.

As a business leader in our community, I write on behalf of the 405 UPS employees here in Florida’s 19th Congressional district to express support for TPP and to encourage Congressman Curt Clawson to support the agreement.

UPS’s experience with trade agreements is telling – every 22 packages that cross a border support one job in our packaging operations, and recent U.S. trade deals have led to an increase of 20 percent in trade volume between countries under the new agreements. Trade is critical to the future of UPS and our employees in this district, and the more than 16,000 UPSers across the state.

TPP will eliminate 18,000 tariffs on Made-in-America goods, remove barriers that disproportionately affect small businesses and expedite customs procedures by removing red tape at the border.

I urge Congressman Clawson and his colleagues in the House and Senate to approve TPP during this session of Congress. Our businesses and workers already face competition around the world, including in fast-growing Asia-Pacific countries. Delay is not in the interest of the United States or our economy.

Brian Conner

Fort Myers