Sen. Baucus Voices Support for TPP, Says Fast-Track Approval Unlikely
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) pushed for a high-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement April 18, 2012, that will increase U.S. competitiveness and help American businesses create jobs through increased exports to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, said a press release from Baucus' office. At an event with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the U.S. Business Coalition for TPP, House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) and Ambassadors from the TPP partner countries, Baucus highlighted the opportunity the agreement presents for the U.S. economy. The event was hosted by U.S. Business Coalition for TPP.
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The TPP represents a tremendous opportunity and by working together to finish negotiations and reach a deal on TPP that works for Americans, the U.S. can boost exports and create jobs, said Baucus. Baucus said it seems unlikely that Congress would take up a TPP bill this year, but he was hopeful that Congress would approve a bill next year, said press accounts. Kirk has previously said he hoped the TPP would receive fast-tracked approval from lawmakers this year.
TPP Would Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations
House Ways and Means Chairman Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) also said he backed the TPP as a means toward streamlining trade and improving foreign regulatory practices. TPP will open markets for U.S. goods, services, agricultural products, and investment by knocking down tariffs and other trade barriers, he said. It will also build on past work to eliminate discriminatory standards and rules, non-science based sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights, said Camp.
Another strength of the TPP is that countries willing to meet its standards can join over time, said Camp. Camp said he welcomes the interest expressed by Canada, Japan, and Mexico in joining TPP, though, new entrants must not result in lowering the ambition of TPP or delaying its conclusion. Each of the potential new TPP members must also be willing to resolve any outstanding bilateral issues and allowing these issues to remain unresolved is contrary to the high standards and high ambition of TPP, he said. Camp said Trade Promotion Authority is also needed for TPP, to provide certain rules for Congressional consideration and he supports TPA for any President because it gives us the tools to move more job-creating trade agreements. Camp hopes that the TPP talks are finished quickly this year and the U.S. can’t afford to slow down our efforts toward achieving the agreement.
The Baucus press release is (here). The Camp press release is (here).
(See ITT's Online Archives 11120120 for a summary of Kirk's hope for an expedited TPP).