Obama at odds with his own party as secretive terms of Trans-Pacific Partnership deal rankle with many Democrats and electronic-freedom activists

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The top US trade official said an ambitious – and controversial – trade pact with Asia is nearing completion, and urged Congress to back the president.



In remarks prepared for delivery to key congressional committees, US trade representative Michael Froman said the administration looked to lawmakers to pass bipartisan legislation allowing a streamlined approval process for trade deals, such as the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Democrats and electronic-freedom activists have opposed the trade deal, putting Obama at odds with his party.



Opponets have argued that the agreement will increase the outsourcing of US jobs to Asia, will curtail global internet freedom, and will hurt progress on climate change. Lawmakers also object that the trade deal is being negotiated by corporations and lobbyists in secret, and that Congress will have little to no authority to make changes.



TPP chief negotiators are meeting in New York this week and some hope the pact can be wrapped up by mid-March.

“The contours of a final agreement are coming into focus, and we have made important progress in the market access negotiations and in addressing a number of twenty-first century issues,” Froman said in his testimony, according to excerpts released by his office in advance, pointing to intellectual property, digital trade and labor and environmental rules.

The White House’s plans to seal a trade agreement covering 40% of the world economy and fast-track legislation in 2015 face opposition from some Democrats worried about the impact of trade on jobs and some conservative Republicans opposed to giving Obama more power.

Trade promotion authority allows the White House to submit trade deals to Congress for a yes-or-no vote, without amendments, in exchange for setting negotiating goals.

Lobbying is intense on both sides of the argument.



Business groups and unions are bringing business owners to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers about their experience with trade and urging letter-writing campaigns. Senior administration officials are calling individual lawmakers, aiming to reach out to about 80 Democratic House members.

As part of the public relations blitz, USTR will unveil a new website, including information on how the TPP will benefit Americans, this morning at 9am, before the Senate committee on finance hearing starts at 10am.

Committee chairman Orrin Hatch said it would be a “grave mistake” to close the deal before the bill passed.

“Doing so may lead to doubt as to whether the US could have gotten a better agreement, ultimately eroding support for TPP and jeopardizing its prospects for passage,” he said in prepared remarks.

In a bid to tackle concerns about jobs, Froman will tell lawmakers US exports support a record 11.3m jobs and export-related jobs pay up to 18% more.

“Our trade agenda is committed to supporting more good jobs, promoting growth, and strengthening America’s middle class,” he said.