It would be a dramatic understatement to say the world has changed since trade promotion authority was last reauthorized in 2002. To reflect the global economy in 2015 and beyond, we need a trade agenda that confronts important 21st century issues. That’s why the newly-released Trade Priorities and Accountability Act includes important updates to address: Cross-Border Data Flows: New provisions direct trade negotiators to ensure that governments allow cross-border data flows and do not require ... Read more

One of the important components of TPA legislation is congressional consultation. The administration is required to consult with Congress throughout trade negotiations. Failing to do so could mean the loss of TPA protections for a trade agreement. But what exactly does it mean to “consult” with Congress? It’s a good question, and here’s the specific answer, as outlined in the bill. Consultations with Members of Congress and Committees • TPA further empowers Congress through new and expanded cons... Read more

By The Editorial Board April 16, 2015 The big news Thursday was that Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee had reached a deal to produce a compromise bill that would give President Obama the ability to negotiate free-trade agreements with the rest of the world. The deeper news, in our view, is that there are still Members of Congress fighting free trade’s progress, even as the clouds darken over the global economy. Consider: U.S. manufacturing slowed for the fifth straight m... Read more

The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act introduced yesterday represents an important step forward for America’s trade agenda. The bill is similar to legislation introduced last year, but includes a number of important modifications and improvements. The bill adds additional transparency requirements, elevates promoting human rights to a negotiating objective, and —most notably—creates a new mechanism to turn off TPA procedures if the administration fails to meet its obligations to adhere to ... Read more

WASHINGTON — This afternoon on CNBC’s Closing Bell, House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) discussed the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. During the interview, Ryan reiterated the importance of reaching a trade agreement with 12 Pacific nations and explained why the United States should be writing the rules for the global economy, rather than China. Excerpts of Chairman Ryan’s responses follow. Video of the interview is accessible here. Advancing... Read more

Trade Agreements Are Good For American Workers, Job Creators, and Our National Security One in five American jobs is tied to trade. That’s 38 million jobs in total. And jobs that are tied to trade pay, on average, 18 percent more. If we want to grow our economy, we need to sell more American-made goods and services abroad. More than 95 percent of the world’s customers live beyond our borders, and good trade agreements allow us break down barriers to American exports. Good trade agreements make ... Read more

What is TPA? Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—is a partnership between Congress and the administration that helps secure the most effective trade agreements possible. It has three main components: a list of congressionally-prescribed negotiating objectives that sets priorities for the administration to follow; robust consultation and transparency requirements that give Congress adequate oversight of negotiations and give the public a full understanding of what an agreement would mean; and a str... Read more

WASHINGTON — Today, the leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees announced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help advance America’s trade priorities and better facilitate U.S. trade with developing countries. The AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015, introduced by Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (R-Ore.) along with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-Mich.), woul... Read more

WASHINGTON — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation that establishes concrete rules for international trade negotiations to help the United States deliver strong, high-standard trade agreements that will boost American exports and create new economic opportunities and better jobs for American workers, manufactur... Read more

The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (TPA) will help deliver the strongest possible trade agreements that will boost American exports and benefit American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and job creators. Ninety-six percent of the world’s customers are outside the United States. If we want to create more opportunity and more high-paying jobs here at home, we need to sell more American-made products and services overseas. That means tearing down barriers... Read more