[CTC] Breaking: Former USTR, Sen. Portman opposes TPP

[Dolan, Mike]

From: Bloomberg Government [mailto:alerts at bgov.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2016 3:36 PM
To:
Subject: First Word Alert: Portman Says He's Disappointed by TPP Signing, Won't Support It

[Bloomberg Government]

Portman Says He's Disappointed by TPP Signing, Won't Support It<https://www.bgov.com/news_item/jRG7zalOOmw2nBOX6rex2A?ni_source=AlertEmail&ni_name=NewsAlert>
February 4, 2016 03:35PM ET | Bloomberg First Word

(Bloomberg) -- "From currency manipulation, to rules of origin for automobiles, to protection for US biologics - we can do better," former U.S. Trade Representative and current Sen. Rob Portman<http://www.bgov.com/us_legislators/BB438> says in e-mailed statement.

  *   "I cannot support the TPP in its current form because it doesn't provide that level playing field" for American workers
     *   "I will continue to urge the Obama administration to support American workers and address these issues before any vote on the TPP agreement"
  *   NOTE: Portman, R-Ohio, served in trade office under former President George W. Bush

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/02/04/portman-to-vote-no-on-trade-deal/
Portman to vote no on trade deal
By Paul Kane<http://www.washingtonpost.com/people/paul-kane> and Kelsey Snell<http://www.washingtonpost.com/people/kelsey-snell>
February 4 at 2:52 PM

Sen. Rob Portman, a former U.S trade ambassador, announced Thursday that he opposes a sweeping 12-nation Pacific Rim trade agreement, dealing a setback to a deal that is seen as a key part of President Obama's economic legacy.
The Ohio Republican is facing a difficult re-election campaign against Ted Strickland, the state's anti-trade former Democratic governor,  in a state that has seen a steep decline in manufacturing as a result of companies moving operations overseas. The announcement is a significant but not fatal blow to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which is protected by fast-track rules that ensure it cannot be filibustered in the Senate.
"I cannot support the TPP in its current form because it doesn't provide that level playing field," Portman said in a statement. "I will continue to urge the Obama administration to support American workers and address these issues before any vote on the TPP agreement."
Portman, who served as the top U.S. trade official under President George W. Bush, was seen as a potential ally for the Obama administration. Last year he voted for fast-track legislation to grant Obama fast-track trade negotiating authority. That bill, considered a bellwether of support for the trade agreement itself, passed on a 62 to 37 vote in May.
The TPP agreement was signed Wednesday in a ceremony in New Zealand but has not yet been transmitted to Congress for official consideration. Support for the agreement has waned in recent months and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he does not expect to consider the deal before the November election.
"It's pretty obvious to anybody who will state the obvious that with both the Democratic candidates for president opposed to the deal and a number of the presidential candidates of our party opposed to the deal, it's my advice that we not pursue that, certainly before the election," McConnell said.
Portman left open the possibility that he could change his position and support the deal if changes are made to better protect U.S. workers. He announced last year that he was skeptical of the deal for failing to prevent countries like Vietnam and Japan from artificially devaluing or otherwise manipulating the value of their currency. He drew criticism from his Republican colleagues for supporting a currency amendment to the fast-track bill.



Michael F. Dolan, J.D.
Legislative Representative
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Desk  202.624.6891
Fax    202.624.8973
Cell    202.437.2254

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