Reinsch Says ‘Legislation Opens Clear Path to Completion of Market-Opening Trade Agreements’
Washington DC – Today, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Bill Reinsch urged members of the House of Representatives to vote in support of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015).
In a letter sent to all representatives this morning, Reinsch wrote:
“This legislation opens a clear path to completion of market-opening trade agreements that will increase economic growth and well-paying jobs here in the United States. This legislation breaks new ground in several important ways. It will enhance the required consultations by the Executive Branch with Congress on trade negotiations, ensuring that Congress sets the priorities for trade agreements. At the same time H.R. 1314 increases the transparency of those negotiations to better reflect the interests of the Congress and the public. Importantly, the bill requires USTR to post the text of trade agreements online at least 60 days before they are finalized. H.R. 1314 also stipulates important negotiating objectives for trade negotiations. These objectives enable Congress to give direction to U.S. negotiators, and they provide the Congress with a template by which to evaluate agreements submitted to them.
“Negotiating objectives include increasing market access for American exports and strengthening international rules for trade and investment. The negotiating objectives also include significant provisions to protect and preserve the environment, to protect worker rights and raise labor standards, to afford small businesses equal access to international markets, to recognize the significance of the Internet as a platform for international trade, and to take into account religious freedom. Simply put, H.R. 1314 enables Congress to ensure that trade agreements comport with American values and take full account of the rapidly changing modalities of international trade.”
Read the full letter here.
About NFTC
Serving America’s Global Businesses Since 1914! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
