American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne issued the following statement today on Robert Lighthizer being confirmed as the United States Trade Representative:
Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2017) — “The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) congratulates Robert Lighthizer on his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as the United States Trade Representative.
“Ambassador Lighthizer is a veteran advocate for American business. His experience in defending American jobs and supporting American prosperity will assist him greatly as our nation pursues focused bilateral trade agreements.
“Agreements negotiated by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) contribute to our nation’s economic growth and prosperity. U.S. life insurers have worked closely with USTR to open and expand access to foreign markets and increase our industry’s contributions to the U.S. financial services export surplus.
“The insurance and financial services sector helped strengthen the U.S. position as a global services trade leader by exporting more than $114 billion globally in 2016. This accounted for a $41 billion surplus in financial services and insurance trade. More than 600,000 U.S. financial services jobs are directly supported by financial services exports.
“ACLI looks forward to working with Ambassador Lighthizer in the coming years to build on this record of success.”
The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 290 member companies operating in the United States and abroad. ACLI advocates in state, federal, and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the 75 million American families that rely on life insurers’ products for financial and retirement security. ACLI members offer life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance, representing 94 percent of industry assets, 93 percent of life insurance premiums, and 97 percent of annuity considerations in the United States. Learn more at www.acli.com.