Mark Morand: Praise for Denham, Feinstein for supporting trade deal

As an International Paper employee at our Tracy container plant, we thank Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Jeff Denham for supporting Trade Promotion Authority. TPA will allow the Obama administration to craft strong trade agreements, putting the interests of American manufacturing front and center by leveling the playing field and opening new markets for American-made products.

Having access to foreign markets is vitally important for companies like International Paper; our company exports nearly 25 percent of its production to foreign markets. Global trade is important to us, our families and our community. Since 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside the U.S., exports are important for U.S. forest products. In 2014, the industry’s global exports totaled an estimated $32.2 billion, of which $22.3 billion were pulp and paper.

Global trade is not only important to our employees, but to the 1,250 small- and medium-sized companies that our California-based facilities purchase goods and services from throughout the state. Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Denham demonstrated leadership and voted to stand up for their constituents and for those who work in manufacturing.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Mark Morand: Praise for Denham, Feinstein for supporting trade deal."