TPP -- I wrote to Tammy Duckworth concerning TPP. She responds: Thank you for contacting me to share your views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). I appreciate you taking the time to make me aware of your concerns on this important matter. Currently, the Obama Administration is engaged in negotiations with 11 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to create the largest U.S. trade agreement in history. The total exports of U.S. goods to TPP countries in 2013 totaled $698 billion, making up 44% of all U.S. goods exported. Negotiations between the countries have been ongoing since 2010 and are estimated to conclude sometime in 2014. Like you, I believe we must ensure U.S. trade policy benefits the American people and promotes core U.S. interests and values. In the past, international trade agreements have led to job loss in the United States and deteriorated labor and environmental conditions in developing nations. We cannot make the same mistakes while negotiating the TPP. That is why I sent a letter to President Obama with over 100 of my colleagues urging him to protect Buy American provisions that promote U.S. manufacturing and jobs in the negotiations. I also sent a letter to the President asking him to address currency manipulation as there are several TPP countries that manipulate their exchange rates. Addressing this unfair practice is critical to protecting American jobs and ensuring a level playing field for our companies. I have met with lead negotiators from the U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR) office and the House Committee on Ways and Means staff multiple times to receive detailed briefings on the negotiations and to talk over my concerns. We discussed issues including transparency of the negotiation process, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also known as Fast Track, and how our countrys laws would be affected by the TPP. I have also asked USTR Ambassador Froman to promote and establish strong, enforceable environmental standards in any deal. In addition, I shared my concerns with Secretary Kerry in a letter regarding the inclusion of Vietnam in the TPP due to Vietnams long history of human rights abuses, and have asked for Brunei to be excluded from negotiations until they address current human rights violations. As you may know, a final agreement on TPP will have to be approved by both houses of Congress. I assure you I will continue to closely monitor the negotiation process and carefully review the final agreement.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 21:52:09 +0000
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