Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter recently said in the Ripon Forum that free, fair and balanced bilateral trade is critical to the state of Idaho.
Out of 10 Idaho export destinations, eight are in the Asia-Pacific. In addition, approximately 90 percent of the state’s $6.1 billion a year in exports can be attributed to members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
“These statistics not only punctuate the importance of the Asia-Pacific for trade, but starkly highlight its strategic importance for our economic security,” Otter said.
The attack on Sept. 11, 2011, may have prompted suggestions that the United States is less interested in building business relationships and more interested in disarming terrorist threats, according to Otter.
After leading many trade missions of Idaho businesses and helping many companies establish themselves in international markets, Otter said such suggestions are simply untrue.
“From Idaho’s perspective, I can report that goodwill toward the United States in the Asia-Pacific is indeed alive and well,” Otter said. “The Asia-Pacific is ‘open for business’ and the Obama administration and Congress would do well to encourage future agreements in the Asia-Pacific such as the KORUS-FTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
Otter recently traveled on a trade mission to Seoul, South Korea. He said Korean businesses and government leaders are looking forward to taking advantage of the recently passed Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Otter said it would help develop new sources of wealth for the United Sates and help build relationships of trust.
Otter has served as governor since 2007. Prior to his career in public service, Otter worked as a private business professional and traveled extensively to key markets in the Asia-Pacific.