Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was among a group of elected officials, business leaders and union executives who met with President Barack Obama in Washington on Wednesday to discuss how to bring jobs back to the United States.
The White House hosted a forum focused on companies that choose to "in-source" jobs and make new investments in the United States.
The forum with Obama and vice President Joe Biden included executives from Ford, Intel, DuPont, Siemens and Rolls-Royce North America, along with leaders of the United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers. Reed and Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber were among the people in attendance, along with academic experts and top White House officials.
The White House said Obama plans to put forward new tax proposals to reward companies that bring back jobs to the U.S. and to eliminate tax advantages for companies moving jobs overseas.
"I'm calling on those businesses that haven't brought jobs back to take this opportunity to get the American people back to work," Obama said in prepared remarks.
Reed has been a vocal supporter of Obama's initiatives, including last year's jobs bill, and has become a frequent visitor to the White House.
In December, Reed joined Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the White House for the announcement of a $4 billion effort to increase energy efficiency inside government and private sector buildings.
The first-term mayor's relationship with the Obama administration has helped him advocate, in partnership with Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, for federal funds to deepen the Port of Savannah.
‘We've been able to work together because we share some similar goals where we can double-team," Brian Robinson, spokesman for Deal, said recently.
But on Wednesday, Reed was in full political mode, telling reporters that he was confident that Obama could defeat Mitt Romney, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
"If you look at what he has done...versus what Mr. Romney did at Bain Capital, I think this president is going to win that argument," Reed said.
"I will do anything they ask me to do in order to help this president," Reed continued. "I think he's earned re-election."
Cox Media Group reporter Scott MacFarlane contributed to this story.
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