Business groups vow: Trade pact will not die

Business groups are expressing renewed determination to push trade legislation to President Obama’s desk, vowing to stop the House from writing the epitaph of a sweeping Asia-Pacific pact that was years in the making.

From industry groups including the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), to the various coalitions that have formed to press for trade promotion authority (TPA), the overwhelming response to Friday’s failure in the House is one of defiance.

“Manufacturers will not back down in this fight for expanded trade, for the future of our industry and our country,” NAM said in a statement. Labor unions and other opponents of trade promotion authority, or fast-track, are equally determined to fight and are leaning on Democrats to hold firm.

“We know that corporate interests that have been pushing fast-track … for years are not stopping,” said Neil Sroka, spokesman for the liberal Democracy for America. “So neither are we.”

The two sides in the trade debate have been battling for months, waging a war of words with staggering amounts of money, manpower and advertising.

A wise fellow who used to do a radio show here once said that you can do a free trade agreement on a postcard.

I won’t put tariffs on your goods, and you won’t put tariffs on mine. Done.

Any “trade agreement” that runs longer than that is fraught with mischief and hidden agendas. Certainly one that is held in such a high level of secrecy.

If this is such a great deal, take the covers off and let us read it.

Paul Ryan Adds Amendment to Trade Bill to Block Climate Deals
The president wants to see Congress pass fast-track legislation to ensure that any trade deal would not be subject to a barrage of amendments in Congress.

This is a big deal for me. If members of Congress aren't even reading the already negotiated parts of these trade deals how can they offer amendments to it? Once it's approved fast track sets it in stone...no ability to amend it. It's up or down, period.

Putting Congress in Charge on Trade
Trade-promotion authority will hold the administration accountable both to Congress and to the American people. Under TPA, any member of Congress will be able to read the negotiating text. Any member will be able to get a briefing from the U.S. trade representative’s office on the status of the negotiations—at any time. Any member will get to be a part of negotiating rounds. And most important, TPA will require the administration to post the full text of the agreement at least 60 days before completing the deal, so the American people can read it themselves.

Trade Deal Debacle
Amazingly enough, some Republicans are supportive of giving Obama the authority to negotiate these trade deals that we the people, and even the Congress, hasn't read!

I'll fight this every chance I get.

Bert, errant knight, you’ve shown your true nature woth this last condescending elitist group - think post.
Critical thinkers detest obfuscation of crucial information.
Shame that you have such reckless blind trust in compromised conflict-of-interest politicians and their bedfellow large corporate lobbyists who conceal content of legislation we have to live with.
As a “scientist” you should have an interest in full disclosure of fact, before dismissing impact of something as serious as trade agreement secret terms which are being rammed through without sufficient scrutiny.
The devil is in the details.

South Korea can sell products at a loss and get a check from their government for the difference. Fair Trade?

China sells products for less than what our material costs. Fair Trade?

No. It is a race to the bottom and the elimination of our middle class. The elites will be fat and happy.

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