Setting the Record Straight on TPA

Statement

Given the impact trade deals have had on our state in the past, I am working diligently to ensure any future trade agreements protect vital North Carolina businesses and jobs. Like many of you, I understand the importance of fair and commonsense trade agreements that will help tear down barriers for North Carolina businesses and create more opportunity and good-paying jobs here at home. I strongly believe that the terms of any trade agreement must be fairly and openly constructed, that long standing and established laws should not be eroded, and that any final trade agreements must empower American workers, manufacturers and producers and create investment in U.S. manufacturing and jobs. This is only possible with TPA.

For a while now, there have been a lot of false claims, misinformation and confusion about Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and what it means for our country. TPA is a process - not a trade deal - that sets strict congressional parameters for the president to follow in any trade negotiation. Further, TPA empowers you, the American public, to read the text of a trade deal well before Congress votes on it. Without TPA, trade deals are often rushed through Congress without giving folks the opportunity to see what's inside.

Under TPA, Congress lays out three strict requirements the administration must follow. First, it must abide by nearly 150 specific negotiating objectives set by Congress. Second, the administration must consult regularly with Congress throughout the negotiations and meet robust transparency standards - including making the text of the deal public for 60 days before the president signs it, so you can read it yourself. And third, before anything becomes law, Congress gets the final say.

Because of the impact bad trade deals have had on our state in the past, a lot of folks hear the word "trade" and immediately voice their opposition against it. I want to assure you that I share your concerns. But it's important to reiterate that TPA is not a trade agreement, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) which the U.S. has been negotiating since the Bush administration. Further, TPA does not approve TPP. Should a trade agreement like TPP come up, TPA empowers Congress and the American people to review it on its own merits.

TPA does not write a blank check for President Obama or give him carte blanche on trade deals. Established by the Constitution, the president has the authority to negotiate trade deals however and with whoever he wants. TPA puts the American people in the driver's seat by forcing Congressional oversight. If, and only if, our clear and ambitious negotiating objectives are followed and met, there will be an up-or-down vote on any agreement. If these are not met, a trade agreement can be stopped and TPA can be rescinded.

But the bottom line is I don't trust President Obama to unilaterally negotiate trade deals and stand up for North Carolina jobs, and that's why we need the transparency and check on the president that TPA provides. TPA neither gives the president any new authority, nor does it enable him to negotiate secret trade deals.

Because of TPA, you will know exactly what's in the trade deal. Without TPA, only Members of Congress can see the text of a trade agreement during negotiation in a secure room. This isn't fair, and TPA will bring trade agreements into the sunlight where they belong. The text of any trade agreement will be made publicly available to you 60 days before Congress can vote on it. Additionally, Members of Congress can show up at the negotiations and demand in person briefings from the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and view currently classified text. This is an incredible new level of transparency.

I've heard apprehension from some folks back home who don't like TPA because they simply don't know what's inside. The full text of TPA is available online and has been for some time. You can see for yourself here.

I will continue to demand an open, transparent and accountable process that focuses on keeping America prosperous and successful for years to come. TPA will help ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in the global market while promoting transparency and fairness. I can assure you, I will continue to do what is right for our communities, for North Carolina and for jobs.

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