[CTC] President Obama Pressing For TPP

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Washington Trade Daily
Volume 25, Number 96 Friday, May 13, 2016
 
President Obama Pressing For TPP
 
President Obama will continue to press for Congressional approval of the TransPacific
Partnership as quickly as possible – in part because of opposition to the pact from the three remaining
Presidential candidates (WTD, 5/12/16).
 
Congressional supporters of TPP should keep in mind when deciding on the timing of votes that
“it is very, very unlikely the next President will be more enthusiastic about TPP than this President,”
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters yesterday. “So I think that would be a reason for
Congress to take action before this President leaves office.”
 
The White House continues to expect Congressional Republicans to support TPP – despite
presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s strong opposition. The President will be
working with Republicans “to identify the most expeditious time frame possible for Congress to do
what’s necessary to implement this agreement,” the White House spokesman said.
 
The Administration believes it can successfully navigate the “cross currents of election year
politics” and get TPP passed this year, possibly before the post-election “lame duck” session, the
spokesman said.
 
Mr. Earnest spoke the same day Mr. Trump was on Capitol Hill for meetings with House and
Senate Republican leaders to look for common ground on the party’s agenda. Mr. Trump has taken
positions – including on trade – that are at odds with the majority of Congressional Republicans.
 
Messrs Ryan and Trump
 
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc) – who is still holding back from endorsing Mr. Trump – told
reporters following his meetings with the candidate that he does not expect a meeting of the minds on all
issues. But House Republican leaders and Mr. Trump’s advisors have agreed to take a “deep dive” into
specific issues, including trade.
 
Mr. Trump held separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans. Senate Finance
Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) – who attended the Senate meeting – told WTD earlier in
the week that he hoped to convince Mr. Trump to “moderate” his views on trade. He even held open
the possibility that Mr. Trump eventually might be convinced to support TPP.
 
Arizona Republican Jeff Flake urged his fellow Republicans yesterday to stick to their free trade
principles, despite anti-TPP rhetoric coming from their likely Presidential nominee. Calls to reject TPP
and hike tariffs to “ridiculous” levels should not be coming from Republicans, he said. “It’s indeed
unfortunate when this time of the year brings out strawman arguments scapegoating free trade for
everything that ails the US economy,” he said in remarks on the Senate floor.
 
A House Democrat leading the effort against TPP said yesterday that opponents are not taking
anything for granted, despite growing indications that Congress will not vote on the pact this year.
 
The White House clearly remains determined to get a vote this year and will be “twisting arms,”
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn) told reporters. The Administration also appears to be trying to work out
problems some lawmakers have raised in order to ensure a vote takes place before President Obama
leaves office. In addition, Republican lawmakers will be under pressure from US business to pass the
deal, she said.
 
Administration officials are making a lot of trips to districts of members identified as key “swing”
votes, added Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch.
 
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