USTR Champions Public Outreach after House Dems Ramp Up TPA Opposition
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative hit back at growing opposition to its handling of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations on Jan. 9 by releasing a fact sheet on its outreach to lawmakers and the public (here). The Obama administration is,…
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in fact, taking “unprecedented steps to increase transparency and diversify the voices involved in America’s trade policy,” says the fact sheet. On Jan. 8, House Democrats rallied lawmakers, unions, consumer groups and other advocates to vow opposition to Trade Promotion Authority in the biggest public show in recent times of opposition to the U.S. trade agenda (see 1501090022). A week ago Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also called on USTR to give his office more access to TPP negotiating texts (see 1501050019). But the Office of the USTR touted its efforts to incorporate more labor and environment representatives in the trade debate. USTR in early 2013 launched the first Public Interest Trade Advisory Committee (see 14022018). The agency is also keeping Congress closely informed on its trade negotiations through providing texts to lawmakers who wish to come to USTR and view them and giving more than 1,600 congressional briefings, said the fact sheet. Many trade critics, including those House Democrats and Sanders, say there are far too many limitations on access to the texts for those viewing opportunities to be worthwhile.