Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today welcomed the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) announcement that he intends to begin negotiations for a new trade agreement to promote international trade in services.  The Finance leaders announced they will be working with the Administration and USTR to ensure a high-level trade agreement that creates U.S. jobs throughout U.S. services sectors.

"The U.S. leads the world in exporting services - and to stay competitive, we need to keep it that way, said Chairman Baucus.  "As the global economy evolves, services exports like tourism and transportation must be an important part of our trade agenda to create jobs and strengthen our economy here at home.

"American service companies are the most competitive in the world, and they face a range of barriers in foreign countries that must be addressed.  I am encouraged that countries committed to services trade liberalization have come together to negotiate a new services agreement, said Ranking Member Hatch.  "I look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that this agreement ends critical services market access barriers so we can continue to expand opportunities for U.S. exports and, most importantly, create new, good-paying jobs here at home.

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