Washington, D.C. - Business Roundtable President John J. Castellani today issued the following statement applauding U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab's success in eliminating Chinese export subsidies - a victory for the United States and international trade rules:

The ability of U.S. companies and workers to compete successfully in the international economy depends on strong international trade agreements and rules and is critical to our country's economic growth.

China's agreement with the United States today to eliminate a wide range of export subsidies demonstrates clearly that the U.S. has more to gain by using WTO rules to make China a responsible trading partner than by using protectionist legislation.

We hope that as Congress moves forward with trade legislation it recognizes how significant today's agreement is and does nothing to undermine international trade agreements and rules.

We congratulate Ambassador Susan Schwab on her success.