Consumer electronics group defends world trade

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer electronic companies, who depend on open markets to keep their costs low, are mounting a cross-country campaign to persuade worried American voters that trade is good for them.

"My summer vacation is in a bus," said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association, whose 2,200 members include big names such Apple Inc, Sony Corp, Intel Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co and Microsoft Corp and hundreds of smaller companies.

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The group, which says its sector will contribute $1.4 trillion to U.S. economic activity this year, is also launching a website aimed at persuading skeptics that trade is positive for U.S. jobs and the economy.

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The effort is motivated by polls showing many Americans believe trade is bad for the United States and by the hard time business groups and the Bush administration have had in persuading the Democratic-run Congress to approve free trade pacts with Colombia, South Korea and Panama.

"Frankly, it's baffling to those of us in the business world. We think it is absolutely critical that we as nation continue to embrace free trade. It gives us access to the best technology in the world," Shapiro said, adding he would share bus-riding duty with other CEA officials.

Reuters

Actually, I am baffled that the "business world" and Mr. Shapiro is baffled.