Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
June 16, 2015
Blog Post
Trade Promotion Authority—also known as TPA, is bipartisan legislation that forms a partnership between Congress and the administration to ensure our nation is able to secure the most effective and fair trade agreements possible to create a healthier economy and more jobs.
Rep. Trott voted in support of this important legislation because he believes opening new markets to sell Michigan products and services will be helpful to families, small businesses and manufacturers in Southeast Michigan. In short, TPA puts Congress in the driver’s seat and allows the American people—through their elected representatives—to have a say in any trade agreements negotiated by the Administration.
It’s important to know that TPA is NOT a trade agreement; rather it is legislation that allows the American people to have a stronger voice in trade negotiations.
During the debate in Congress, Rep. Trott helped secure stronger protections against currency manipulation to help job providers in Southeast Michigan and the American auto industry.
To contact Rep. Trott about TPA or any other issue, please click here.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON TPA
Is TPA a secret deal that the American people are not allowed to see?
No. There is nothing secret about TPA. The legislation was introduced in April 2015 in the House by Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) and has been available to review by the American people for the past three months while it has been debated in Congress. You can read the text of the legislation here and you can read an overview of the legislation here.
Does TPA protect against currency manipulation?
Yes. Because the threat of currency manipulation is so dangerous to Southeast Michigan’s economy, including the American auto industry, Rep. Trott worked diligently with his colleagues in Michigan to press the House leadership to help us crack down on currency manipulation. Because of Rep. Trott’s efforts, the Ways and Means Committee added stronger currency manipulation protections in the final legislative package. This was an important win for Southeast Michigan.
Does TPA give new power to President Obama?
No. Since 1974, every president has had TPA. In reality, TPA empowers Congress to demand accountability from the administration. The president already has the constitutional authority to negotiate a trade agreement. But only Congress can change U.S. law. So TPA ensures that Congress is playing a major role throughout negotiations, not just at the end.
Does TPA allow for the Obama Administration to push their illegal amnesty agenda?
No. TPA contains nothing that deals with immigration and it explicitly prevents any changes to U.S. law without Congressional approval. The TPA bill specifically bars the president from enacting any changes to U.S. law, and retains Congress’ ability to vote down any trade agreement that does not satisfy the administration’s obligations under TPA. You can learn more here.
How does TPA affect U.S. sovereignty?
It doesn’t. TPA includes language that reaffirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law. And no trade agreement can go into force without congressional approval.
THE FACTS ABOUT TPA
TPA is NOT a trade agreement—rather, it is a way to give the American people and Congress more say in any future trade agreements.
TPA is a bipartisan effort designed to help deliver the strongest possible trade agreements that will boost American exports and benefit American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and job creators. The goal of TPA is to make trade negotiators more accountable to Congressional priorities, trade negotiations more transparent and Congressional oversight more effective.
Accountable
TPA lays out specific negotiating objectives for the administration to pursue in any trade agreement, so Congress is always in the driver’s seat. Specifically, TPA:
- Sets congressional priorities through nearly 150 clear and ambitious negotiating objectives, like rules for intellectual property rights, agricultural trade, labor standards, environmental protections, and protections for U.S. investment, and rule of law and human rights
- Includes new objectives so that our agreements address the unique issues facing the global economy in the 21st century, such as restrictions on cross border data flows, regulatory barriers, currency manipulation, state-owned enterprises, and global value chains, and for the first time recognizes the importance of the Internet to international trade
Transparent
TPA includes an unprecedented level of consultation and transparency requirements so that Congress and the American people know the full impact of any agreement. The bill:
- Allows any member of Congress to review the negotiating text and to attend negotiating sessions
- Requires the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to promptly brief any member who asks
- Includes robust reporting requirements on the effects of a trade agreement and makes those reports public
- Lays out a timeframe for publishing the final text once an agreement is complete that allows the American people to learn what the agreement would do before a vote
- Provides a clear and definite timeline for congressional action once the process is underway
- Creates a new chief transparency officer position at USTR to consult with Congress and advise the USTR on transparency policies and engage and assist the public
Effective Oversight
TPA gives clear instructions for trade negotiations. It also lays out consequences if the administration falls short, and includes new language to protect U.S. sovereignty:
- If the administration satisfies the negotiating objectives and consultation requirements, the trade agreement receives TPA consideration by Congress
- If an administration falls short, however, the legislation provides an additional mechanism to withdraw TPA procedures. Finally, it affirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law. Congress always gets the final say on whether to implement a trade agreement
MORE RESOURCES ON TPA:
Read The Legislation (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)