WASHINGTON - Leading technology companies urged Congress and the Bush administration Wednesday not to impose new trade restrictions aimed at keeping U.S. jobs from moving overseas, where labor costs are lower.
The companies said such policies would do little to resolve long-standing problems more broadly affecting America's global competitiveness, such as low-scoring schools and inadequate research spending. Erecting barriers, they said, could lead to retaliation from our trading partners and even an all-out trade war.
The effort shows the industry's growing concerns that lawmakers may clamp down on the offshoring of U.S. jobs during an election year. Already, some Democratic candidates have criticized the practice.
There is no job that is America's God-given right anymore
Carly Fiorina, chief executive for Hewlett-Packard Co., said Wednesday. We have to compete for jobs. 17
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