Retailers encouraged by President Trump’s commitment to improving U.S. infrastructure.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s newly released framework for rebuilding infrastructure in America.

“Retailers rely on our nation’s infrastructure to help provide consumers with the products they want, when they want them, at the best possible prices. Unfortunately, our current infrastructure, particularly our ports system, lacks efficiency and predictability needed to keep our economy competitive around the globe,” said Jennifer Safavian, RILA’s executive vice president, government affairs. “We’re encouraged by the President’s commitment to improving U.S. infrastructure and we look forward to working with the administration and Congress to ensure our ports and transportation network are equipped to support the modern economy and the millions of jobs that rely upon it.”

In its recently released 2018 Public Policy Agenda, RILA outlined updating the nation’s infrastructure as a key priority for retailers in 2018, specifically, the need to increase investments in America’s port system.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.