Let’s start with why this is important.
In Washington state, 4 in 10 jobs are tied, directly or indirectly, to trade, according to the Washington Council on International Trade. And the value of goods and services exported by Washington state totaled $90.6 billion in 2014. The state exports twice as much per capita as the average among U.S. states.
To keep those goods flowing, especially as China gains stature as a trading partner with other nations, the U.S. is working to conclude negotiations later this year on the Trans Pacific Partnership, a sweeping trade deal with 12 Pacific Rim nations. To seal that deal, Congress is being asked to renew Trade Promotion Authority, also called “fast-track authority,” for the president that was first established in 1974 but expired in 2007. Fast-track authority would allow U.S. trade representative to continue negotiations, without the threat of being bogged down by amendments from Congress, but would bring that final agreement back to Congress for an up or down vote. Legislation for that authority was introduced in the Senate earlier this month and last week cleared the Senate Finance Committee on a 16-10 vote.
The legislation, although requested by President Obama, faces opposition from many Congressional Democrats and their supporters who have criticized the trade negotiations for a lack of transparency and for inadequate protections for U.S. standards on the environment, labor and human rights. But, as we stated in February, Trade Promotion Authority represents the best opportunity for Congress to make clear the protections it wants the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to emphasize in the trade deals it makes as part of the TPP.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, who drafted the legislation with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says the legislation does address many of those concerns, as was reported by the Washington Post’s Lydia DePillis. Regarding transparency, the bill provides for greater access to drafts of future trade proposals and would establish a chief transparency officer in the Trade Representative’s office. The legislation also directs U.S. negotiators to ensure pacts comply with environmental treaties and adopt language that upholds standards on child labor, human trafficking, union organizing and more.
The legislation’s protections were further strengthened by an amendment made in the Finance Committee that would prevent fast-tracking of any treaties with nations who are recognized by the State Department as being out of compliance with international standards on human trafficking, language that would apply to Malaysia in the TPP talks.
The White House believes it has more leverage with Malaysia on human trafficking if that country is allowed to participate in the trade deal, but this is where Congress has its opportunity to make clear what is acceptable and what isn’t.
If, in the end, the final agreement is unacceptable to any in Congress, they can then vote to defeat it. But President Obama’s fast-track authority should be approved so that he and his trade representatives, working within Congress’ stated limits, can make a deal that promotes the state’s and nation’s economy and protects our interests.
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