International Trade Benefits American Businesses, Consumers & Workers WASHINGTON - The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French on Senate passage of Trade Promotion Authority legislation, which would provide a legislative framework for consideration of international trade agreements: “This is a decisive and important step in support of free and open trade. Now that the Senate has acted, we urge the House to take up Trade Promotion Authority legislation as soon as they come back after Memorial Day. Advancing trade is in our economic and strategic interests and should be a top priority for Congress. “International trade not only benefits American businesses, consumers, families and workers but also makes our economy and industries more efficient and competitive. Trade opens up new markets for American-made products, reduces consumer prices on everyday goods like clothing and shoes, and provides new market opportunities for American companies, retailers and workers. “As our Trade Matters to American Retailers and Families report shows, international trade supports about 7 million restaurant and retail jobs in the U.S. alone. That figure will only grow with the passage of pending trade agreements.”