EVANS LAUNCHES BUSH ADMNISTRATION'S MANUFACTURING AGENDA

U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans today released the Bush Administration's pro-growth manufacturing agenda that establishes clear priorities to enhance economic growth and create better paying jobs in the manufacturing sector. Key elements of the manufacturing agenda would help manufacturers through pro-growth tax policies that would encourage job-creating investment, free and fair trade that would open access for U.S. manufacturers to global markets, and education and health care reform.

"President Bush has taken and is taking the critical steps needed to hasten recovery in the U.S. manufacturing sector," said Evans. "The President and I understand that recovery in the U.S. manufacturing sector is crucial for sustained, robust economic growth and rising standards of living for all Americans."

In remarks delivered to the National Association of Manufacturers conference in Chicago, Evans highlighted hopeful signs that investment in the U.S. manufacturing sector is climbing and new orders for manufactured goods are rising.

Key elements of the manufacturer's agenda include:

· Pro-growth tax policies. Lowers the tax burden on U.S. manufacturers and lowers the cost of research and development by ending the double taxation of dividends. Elimination of double taxation would encourage job-creating investment in America's businesses, return about $20 billion this year to the economy and help manufacturers boost their economic recovery.

· Free and Fair Trade. Makes it a priority to open new markets for U.S. manufacturers through the elimination of all industrial tariffs within 10 years for World Trade Organization members, pushes for new bilateral free trade agreements and a Free Trade Area of the Americas.

· Education Reform. Strengthens America's competitive edge by improving math and science skills, and strives to retrain workers with the skills necessary to be a part of the 21st Century Workforce.

· Health Care Reform. Proposes to modernize and improve Medicare, give seniors better access to preventative medicine and new drug programs, reform medical liability and allow patients to choose their own doctors and help low income families receive the care they need.

"'Made in America' remains the global gold standard, the mark of the highest quality and most innovative products on Earth," said Evans. "Our manufacturers demonstrate the best in American jobs and American values, enhancing our national competitiveness while improving lives around the world."

Further information about the Bush Administration's Manufacturing Agenda is available by clicking here.