Obama to Congress: Write trade rules before China does
US President Barack Obama has urged Congress to approve his trade agenda before China starts dictating the shape of the global economy.
During his weekly address on Saturday, Obama said he spends much of his time as president of the United States on “what we can do to grow the economy” and create new opportunities for Americans to get ahead, according to The Hill.
Finding one of his key legislative priorities in jeopardy, Obama has been pressing Democrats, who oppose him on trade, to give him “fast-track” authority to negotiate liberalized trade agreements abroad.
Under that authority, a president can negotiate trade pacts that Congress can only approve or reject, not change.
“I think we should write those rules before China does,” Obama said on Saturday. “That’s why I’ve been working with Congress to pass new, 21st-century trade agreements with standards that are higher and protections that are tougher than any past trade agreement.”
House Democrats shocked Obama on June 12 by voting against his package of proposed legislation crucial to finalizing the massive Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, currently under discussion between the US and eleven other countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.
In his address to the nation, Obama said his trade agenda would benefit American workers and businesses and that he would implement his economic policies even if Congress does not act.
“That’s why, on issue after issue where Congress has failed to act, my administration has partnered with mayors and governors across the country to advance economic priorities that most working families in America are in favor of right now,” he said.
Facing stiff opposition from his fellow Democrats, Obama has found himself aligned with many business-friendly Republicans on trade.
The House of Representatives voted 218-208 Thursday to revive Obama’s proposed legislation, which could get a vote in the Senate next week.
The same 28 Democrats, who previously voted in favor of the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), held firm, despite criticism from unions and liberal groups. 190 Republicans voted “yes.”
The bill must pass before Obama can send trade deals like the TPP agreement to Congress for an up-or-down vote.
HRJ/HRJ
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