Washington, D.C.  -  Congressman Mike Rogers said today he was disappointed that President Bush and the House of Representatives chose to support the Morocco Free Trade Agreement, saying the bill could further jeopardize Third District textile jobs and diminish hopes for a sustained economic recovery in East Alabama’s manufacturing sector.

“Congress should be trying to level the playing field, not give it away,” Rogers said. “The Morocco Free Trade Agreement could make it even more difficult for Alabama manufacturers to compete against countries like China, and diminish our ability to increase our exports of American-made products.”

H.R. 4842, the United States-Morocco Free Trade Implementation Act, passed the House Thursday by a vote of 323-99. Proponents of the legislation say American manufacturers could benefit from lower tariffs with the northeast African nation, and point to a growing market for textile goods in that area of the world. Rogers disagrees.

“This agreement substantially increases the amount of cheaply-produced, duty-free textiles the U.S. can import from Morocco, which concerns me greatly,” Rogers explained. “The Chinese already have a strong manufacturing presence in Morocco, and this agreement could enable them to unfairly ship their products to the U.S. under the guise of this agreement.”

Rogers added the legislation mirrors CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, legislation that he also opposes. Both bills could hurt Alabama manufacturers and their employees, he said, and he will continue to oppose them until Third District manufacturers agree they will help their businesses.