President Barack Obama recently unveiled a new strategy to boost U.S. farm exports by dedicating more federal resources to strengthening the agricultural sector across the country (here). The Obama administration will be bringing more foreign buyers and trade experts to rural American to discuss export opportunities, said a White House fact sheet. The strategy, which is part of a White House effort announced last year (see 14021015), will include outreach to American farmers and ranchers on customs filing and calculations for export shipping costs. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration is creating a new export advisory team to increase U.S. exports, Commerce said in a statement (here). The administration's plans focus largely on export financing and infrastructure boosts, as well.

President Barack Obama continued his offensive to secure Trade Promotion Authority in his weekly address on Feb. 22, saying U.S. trade pacts will build on rapid American job growth over recent months and years (here). Many observers expect lawmakers to introduce a TPA bill in the coming days, and Obama has lobbied repeatedly over recent weeks for that legislation (see 1502190016).

Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill need to rally together to pass Trade Promotion Authority and bring home the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the White House said in a statement and video on Feb. 18. The TPP will boost U.S. manufacturing and allow U.S. businesses to access rapidly growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, said President Barack Obama in the statement (here).

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union went back to work on Feb. 17 at West Coast ports, as Labor Secretary Tom Perez continued to push for a deal between the ILWU and its employers, the Pacific Maritime Association. President Barack Obama sent Labor Secretary Tom Perez to intervene personally in the ongoing dispute over contract negotiations, a White House spokesman said on Feb. 14, according to media outlets (here). The PMA shut down work from Feb. 14-16 for the second straight weekend (see 1502120049).

President Barack Obama nominated National Small Business Association President Todd McCracken to again serve as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the White House said on Feb. 11. McCracken has sat on the committee since 2011.

President Barack Obama asked members of the Congressional Black Caucus to support the administration’s trade agenda in a meeting on Feb. 10, the White House said. The statement didn’t mention Trade Promotion Authority, nor did it call for specific backing on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But the White House said its trade plans “would provide new opportunities for workers and support economic growth by opening markets, enforcing high-standards in our agreements, and leveling the playing field for our workers.” Forty-four voting House members, as well as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., make up the caucus.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are part of the Obama administration’s security approach to the globe, and the two pacts are likely to increase worldwide peace and American leadership, the White House said on Feb. 6 in unveiling its 2015 National Security Strategy (here). Opening up foreign markets for U.S. exports is critical to boosting international prosperity and unity, said the White House, adding that U.S. normalization with Cuba helps improve U.S. security.

The U.S. and European Union should strive to wrap up Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations by the end of 2015, said European Council President Donald Tusk before a meeting with Vice President Joe Biden on Feb. 6 (here). Tusk admitted that goal is ambitious, and many observers question if the two sides are on track to conclude the talks in the near future (see 1502050011). Biden also said the U.S. hopes for “substantial progress toward an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement” this year, during remarks before the meeting (here). “We know it’s very much in the interest of both continents,” said Biden. “And working together, the U.S. and the EU are committed to breaking down ... remaining barriers to trade that have been holding us back some from achieving the full potential of what is already an incredibly robust transatlantic alliance.”

President Barack Obama nominated on Feb. 5 MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga to be an Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations member.

A Department of Homeland Security shutdown in the coming weeks could put more than 40,000 CBP and border patrol agents out of work, President Barack Obama said on Feb. 2 in remarks on his fiscal year 2016 budget proposal. DHS has staffed just over 43,000 CBP and border patrol agents in total since Obama signed into law FY14 appropriations (see 14011423). The department’s current appropriations are set to expire on Feb. 28, and CBP will lose funding if DHS appropriations lapse.