Agricultural Groups React to Trade Promotion Authority

January 13, 2014

2 Min Read
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A number of agricultural and business groups recently stated their support for the proposed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation.  The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said, “The U.S. market is one of the most open in the world, yet our farmers and ranchers face high tariffs and other noncompetitive practices when they try to export their products.  For U.S. agriculture to thrive, we have to correct these disparities and level the playing field. The current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and U.S. - European Union Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement negotiations are our best chance to expand our trade opportunities, and only with TPA can we succeed in these negotiations.”

The National Pork Producers Council said, “Getting TPA introduced and approved is an important step in the trade process, and we are supportive, but our main focus will be making sure Japan eliminates farm tariffs at least as quickly as was done by South Korea in its trade deal with the U.S.”  Labor unions stated their opposition to the legislation. 

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The Communications Workers of America said, “Fast track is the wrong track when it comes to a trade deal like the Trans-Pacific Partnership that will affect our laws, our jobs, our food and our environment. Fast track, also known as Trade Promotion Authority, forces Congress to give up its Constitutional right to amend and improve this trade deal, which now is reportedly more than 1,000 pages long.” 

Also, five senior Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee stated their objection to the bill as currently written.  TPA is always a very contentious fight.  The last time Congress passed TPA was 2002.  

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