Posted January 28, 2015
U.S. trade officials could finalize the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the coming months, according to a Reuters article available here. Farm Futures also published an article available here, Washington Post here, and The Hill here.
The TPA, also referred to as “fast-track,” limits Congress’ ability to add amendments to key trade deals and allows Congress to take an up-or-down vote these trade deals, according to Farm Futures.
Ag groups are worried that this trade deal will not advance without the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch also expressed concerns about TPP being finalized before enacting TPA, according to The Hill.
“Doing so may lead to doubt as to whether the U.S. could have gotten a better agreement, ultimately eroding support for TPP and jeopardizing its prospects for passage in Congress,” said Hatch.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) both support the push, according to Washington Post.
“This president has earned our distrust, but having said that, I still support TPA,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), an Obama critic and former head of the House Oversight Committee. “I still want to have the trade team be able to go forward and make good offers.”
Hatch also stated that there was not a definite timeline for introducing the TPA bill, but he hoped to move it in February, according to Reuters.
For more information on international trade, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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