COMMERCE SECRETARY DON EVANS BRINGS MANUFACTURING JOBS MESSAGE TO PITTSBURGH

Commerce Secretary Don Evans today spoke with a classroom of Carnegie Mellon University graduate students specializing in the manufacturing industry and emphasized President Bush’s commitment to creating manufacturing jobs by leveling the playing field for American competition in domestic and global markets. Evans brought his jobs message to Pittsburgh one day after previewing the Administration’s pro-growth manufacturing report in Detroit.

“The President knows that competition leads to innovation and improves productivity. He understands that greater productivity expands economic growth and improves the standard of living and a better quality of life for all. This is why the Bush Administration will not stand for unfair competition. Americans are willing to compete, on even terms, with any country in the world as long as it is fair,” Evans told the students.

Evans announced that a new Commerce Unfair Trade Practices Team, a new Office of Industry Analysis, a new Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and other initiatives will help grow jobs in Pittsburgh.

“This administration will not rest until every American who is seeking work finds a job. We know that Pittsburgh manufacturers have been hit hard and we are committed towards turning that around,” Evans said.

Evans said that he will be visiting China to meet with government officials this Fall because as he traveled across the country to hear the concerns of manufacturers, no country raised more attention as a source of concern than China. Concerns ranged from inadequate access to China’s markets; rampant piracy of intellectual property in China; forced transfer of technology from firms launching joint ventures in China; trade barriers; and capital markets that are largely insulated from free-market pressures,” Evans said.

“China is one of the world’s largest markets with vast opportunities for American manufacturers, provided that China’s markets are actually governed by real, free, and fair market forces. This Administration believes that free-market forces should set currency values. And, two weeks ago, Treasury Secretary Snow conveyed exactly that message to the Chinese government.”

The Commerce Department expects to submit a full report containing additional recommendations on how to grow manufacturing jobs to the President later this year. Visit www.export.gov/manufacturing for more information.