The Express Delivery & Logistics Association (XLA) is hoping that a study released last month will catch the eye of U.S. trade negotiators. Titled Logistics Services: An Overview of the Global Market and Potential Effects of Removing Trade Impediments, the report, which was compiled by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), concluded that U.S.-based express delivery service companies would benefit significantly from the removal of trade barriers in foreign markets, particularly from the liberalization of customs and inspection procedures and nontransparent regulatory procedures.
It's probably no surprise that the conclusions met with widespread approval from association members. "This study recognizes the significance of logistics services to the U.S. and global economies, and highlights the importance of reducing foreign barriers to our service," says Sue Presti, XLA's executive director. "We believe the study will help our efforts to obtain strong commitments for logistics in future trade agreements. This report will help government trade negotiators focus on those restrictions that most impede our members' efforts to meet the logistics and trading needs of the global economy."
The express delivery and logistics industry, which XLA represents, specializes in fast, reliable transportation services for documents, packages and freight. XLA members include large companies with global delivery networks, like DHL Express, FedEx, Purolator, TNT Express and UPS, as well as smaller businesses with regional delivery networks. Worldwide, XLA members have operations in more than 200 countries, move more than 20 million packages each day, operate 1,200 aircraft and earn revenues of approximately $60 billion annually.
