It has been over 12 years since the last debate over Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – the last time we considered the role of Congress in trade negotiations. Much has changed since then. The world has changed, trade negotiations have changed, and the role of Congress in trade negotiations has changed. [Reposted from the website…
BEIJING — China intends to project naval power in the open ocean in coming years, and not just defend the country’s coastal waters, according to a strategy paper released on Tuesday. [by Andrew Jacobs | May 26, 2015 | NY Times] The paper, the first policy document issued by the Chinese military in two…
The issue of currency management by U.S. trading partners that increases U.S. trade deficits has become a front-burner issue in debates over the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The discussion about whether or not trade deficits can really affect U.S. employment, however, occasionally gets very muddled. Here’s a quick attempt to un-muddle a couple different issues.…
Posted on May 22, 2015 For Immediate Release Contact: John Hansen 402-476-8815 Nebraska Farmers Union Brings Country Support for COOL to Washington, DC LINCOLN (May 22, 2015) – Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) sent two of their state leaders to Washington, DC…
The Senate voted, last week, to pass Trade Promotion Authority (fast-track) bill 62 to 37. Here is a summary of all the votes. 48 Republicans and 14 Democrats voted for it. 32 Democrats and 5 Republicans voted against it. Here are the 14 Democrats: Michael Bennet (D-CO)Ben Cardin (D-MD)Maria Cantwell (D-WA)Tom Carper (D-DE)Chris Coons…
At today’s daily briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest communicated the president’s threat to veto any trade promotion authority (TPA) that “could undermine the independence or ability of the Federal Reserve to make monetary policy decisions”. (The question was posed at minute 42:50, Mr. Earnest’s answer starts at 43:31, and the lead up to this…
President Obama says progressives who warn that trade laws let corporations overrule U.S. law are “making this stuff up.” Two attacks on U.S. laws and regulations are underway right now, illustrating how the “corporate courts” provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would open our country up to attacks from foreign corporations. [Reposted from the Campaign…
A decade in the making, the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is reaching its climax and as Congress hotly debates the biggest trade deal in a generation, its backers have turned on the cash spigot in the hopes of getting it passed. [Reposted from The Guardian | C Robert Gibson and Taylor Channing | May 27,…
One of the Obama administration’s underrated virtues is its intellectual honesty. Yes, Republicans see deception and sinister ulterior motives everywhere, but they’re just projecting. The truth is that, in the policy areas I follow, this White House has been remarkably clear and straightforward about what it’s doing and why. [Reposted from The New York Times …
CONCORD – Bernie Sanders says it’s time Hillary Clinton takes a stance on a controversial trade deal that’s dividing Democrats. [Reposted from The Washington Post | Paul Steinhauser | May 27, 2015] And the independent senator from Vermont, who’s running for the Democratic presidential nomination, told NH1 News Wednesday he’s not concerned about more competition…
