The Issue
Fair global trade policies help raise standards of living and increase consumer choice around the world. Free trade policies enable access to goods, services and technologies that grow domestic markets - particularly in emerging countries. Market access and fair treatment of investments facilitate access to feedstocks and enable further investment in manufacturing environments. Ultimately, this access brings growth, prosperity and product development to countries around the world.
Dow has been headquartered in Midland, Michigan since 1897, with global manufacturing operations for more than half a century. Today, 68 percent of Dow's revenues come from locations outside the United States, with 32 percent coming from emerging geographies. In China alone, 100 percent of the sales from important goods and local manufacturing are made to local Chinese customers. We estimate that emerging markets will be responsible for 35 percent of Dow's sales by 2012. Trade and market access will allow Dow to export more goods to Dow facilities and customers around the world.
Our Global Position
Dow supports the development of a global, rules-based trading system, as embodied in the World Trade Organization, to foster economic growth and sustainable development around the world. Free and fair trade provides opportunities for all countries to increase their standard of living, expand consumer choice and improve access to education and job opportunities. Dow believes that the current system of country-specific tariffs and duties is restricting the ability of companies to compete on equal terms around the world. As shown in the successful economic model of Singapore, open markets yield numerous economic and societal benefits, as opposed to protectionist, restrictive or non-transparent trade policies. Lack of access to the global market ultimately hurts all manufacturers.
Dow is taking an active role in building relationships with all involved in the discussion, from governments to our customers, to advocate for trade around the world that improves people's lives and enables sustainable development.
Learn more about trade policies in the United States and European Union.