MetLife Urges Prompt Action on Pending Free Trade Agreements

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today encouraged Congress to move quickly on the passage of pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with the governments of Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Especially in the case of the South Korean Agreement, MetLife has been engaged from the start to ensure the strongest possible agreements between the two countries and has advocated the opportunities for mutual business growth and U.S. job creation at every step of the way.

“With the unemployment rate in the United States still above 9 percent, Congress should pass these free trade agreements with all deliberate speed,” said Steven A. Kandarian, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. “Allowing U.S. companies to sell more goods and services in these markets will spark needed job creation here in the United States. Financial services companies such as life insurers are eager to do more business in countries where growing affluence is fueling a need for products that provide financial security.”

MetLife International Business President Bill Toppeta, who testified in support of the FTAs before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, said: “These agreements are beneficial to consumers first and foremost by fostering competition for their business – providing a better choice of products at more competitive prices. They also benefit U.S. life insurers and the U.S. economy by many measures; market opportunity, regulatory transparency, creating a level playing field for U.S. companies, and U.S. job creation. We welcome the procedural agreement between Congressional leaders and the Obama Administration that will allow the Agreements to be voted on soon. This has been a long journey, but ultimately it will lead us to a vital destination: better choice for consumers, economic growth and American job creation."

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 50 countries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

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