Democrats Release 2012 National Platform; Support for TPP, Fighting 'Unfair Trade,' Etc.
The Democratic Party released its national platform in advance of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte Sept. 4-6. Trade-related aspects of the platform include support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), increasing exports, enforcing “fair trade” with China, and establishing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia, among other things. Highlights of the platform include:
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- Fair trade with China. According to the platform, President Obama has made clear to the Chinese government that it needs to take steps to appreciate its currency so that America is competing on a level playing field. The administration has doubled the rate of trade cases brought against China by the last administration, it said, and created a new government-wide Interagency Trade Enforcement Center. President Obama is committed to continuing to fight unfair trade practices that disadvantage American producers and workers, including illegal subsidies, non-tariff barriers, and abuse of worker rights or environmental standards, the platform said.
- Support for TPP and APEC. Because of the economic dynamism of the Asia-Pacific region, which is already home to more than half the global economy, expanding trade with that region is critical to creating jobs and opportunities for the American people, the platform said. Building on the free trade agreement with South Korea that President Obama signed, the administration is working with partners in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum to create a seamless regional economy, promote green growth, and coordinate regulatory reform. Alongside Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, the U.S. is on track to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a high-standard agreement that will address new and emerging trade issues, lower barriers to the free flow of trade and investment, increase exports, and create more U.S. jobs, the platform said.
- PNTR for Russia. The Obama Administration supports establishing permanent, normal trade relations with Russia because it would be good for the U.S. economy, for U.S. businesses, and for U.S. workers, it said. Securing Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization is an important step toward encouraging Russia to follow a rules-based system, and to protecting the rights of American workers, farmers, ranchers, and firms.
- Promotion of trade with the Americas. The Democrats say they will work to expand free and fair trade in the Americas as well. The U.S. already exports more than three times as much to Latin America as it does to China, the platform said, and the Democrats will pursue additional opportunities to expand commerce and promote shared prosperity. Because the Caribbean is an important region to our country, the Democrats will continue to support robust trade and economic relationships with partners there. And, across the region, the administration is moving ahead with “open skies” agreements to expand opportunities for commercial aviation..
- Trade and investment in Africa. President Obama announced a new strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa that commits to promoting economic growth, including through increased trade and investment. The Democrats believe that the private sector will be the engine of prosperity in the developing world. The administration continues to work to promote opportunity and development in sub-Saharan Africa by improving the region’s trade competitiveness, encouraging economic diversification, and ensuring that the benefits from growth are broad-based.