AMTonline: Featured Stories

e-News from Washington (May 25, 2012)

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

Budget talks started up again. President Obama is starting to push for manufacturing tax credits. Manufacturers push for fairer trade rules in the free trade agreements.

Manufacturers Urge Action on Currency in TPP Trade Negotiations

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

As the Trans Pacific Partnership’s member nations met for the 12th round of negotiations in Texas, AMT joined a group of manufacturers in a letter to US Treasury Secretary Geithner and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk urging them to include rules governing currency manipulation as a key point of TPP and any future trade agreements. The Administration joined the TPP in 2009 as part of its National Export Initiative’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2014. The nine member countries are the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalem, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Japan is seeking entry into the group.

Senate Approves Ex-Im Reauthorization

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

On May 15, the Senate passed “The Securing Jobs Through Exports Act” (HR 2072) which reauthorizes the Ex-Im Bank for three more years and raises its lending authority from $100 billion to $140 billion over that time period. The Senate bill, which was approved by a bipartisan vote of 78-20, is identical to legislation passed by the House last week. It now heads to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it into law soon. Extending and improving the Ex-Im Bank’s charter is a top legislative priority for AMT and is consistent with AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate objective to improve global competitiveness. AMT is a long standing member of the Coalition for Employment through Exports (CEE).

Locating American Manufacturing: Trends in Geography of Production

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Brookings Institution - With the slight resurgence of U.S. manufacturing in the recent years - termed a potential "manufacturing movement" by some - it is important to consider not just the future of manufacturing in America but also its geography. Geographic considerations are, in fact, central to whether the slow growth of U.S. manufacturing jobs during the last two years signals a renaissance of American manufacturing or merely a temporary respite from long-term decline.

The Benefits of Manufacturing Jobs

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Economic and Statistics Administration released a report entitled "The Benefits of Manufacturing Jobs" that explores benefits to workers and to our nation of a strong manufacturing sector.

New Market Exporter Initiative - NMEI

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT is pleased to join in an alliance with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) to increase the range of export services available to our members. Through the New Market Exporter Initiative (NMEI), AMT will facilitate your contact with government resources available to help U.S. manufacturers maximize their exporting potential.