In a statement released Monday by United Steelworkers (USW) International, President Leo W. Gerard underlined the need for “serious and extensive debate” regarding what the Trans-Pacific Partnership must include to “successfully promote America’s interests,” pointing to Michigan Rep. Sander Levin’s (D-9th District) recently-released paper on the subject.
“For many months, the congressman has argued that the focus needs to be on the merits of TPP, not on the process for considering these types of agreements,” Gerard said. “His ideas raise important considerations that must be addressed in a revitalized discussion about the substance of TPP. The issues he raises are among the ones that the USW has been engaged in since the beginning of negotiations.”
For example, Gerard said the US’ trading partners “must establish effective disciplines against currency manipulation. In addition, Congress must also pass domestic legislation to address this issue. Currency manipulation robs American farmers, workers and businesses of opportunity.”
Worker and human rights are another area of concern, as “this key issue needs to be forcefully and measurably addressed with many of the TPP countries.”
Levin also raised issues of transparency in his paper, because “despite claims of transparency, the process and product remain relatively opaque, even to cleared advisors,” Gerard said.
“Right now, US negotiators are rushing to conclude a deal,” Gerard continued. “Arbitrary deadlines will only diminish American opportunity by giving our trading partners the upper hand. They can sit on their hands knowing that US negotiators are watching the clock, looking to conclude an agreement with less than adequate results for American workers and their families.”
Gerard concluded: “The congressman is absolutely correct in insisting that we get TPP right before we pass Fast Track legislation. Fast Track only diminishes Congress’ leverage to get a deal that is good for our economy. We need more than an agreement that promotes the foreign policy interests of our allies and the bottom lines of multinational corporations.”