Portman, Kaptur Blast Trade Deal
February 4, 2016
By: Tom Troy, Toledo Blade
February 4, 2016
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), known for his ardent support of international trade agreements, said today he does not support the Trans-Pacific Partnership as proposed by President Obama.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman appeared Wednesday in New Zealand for a signing ceremony for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Democrats in Ohio accused Mr. Portman of political “double-speak” because he is facing re-election in November.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) criticized Mr. Froman’s trip to New Zealand.
“Putting on a show in New Zealand does not change the fact that the Trans-Pacific Partnership would be a job-killing disaster and does not have Congressional approval,” Miss Kaptur said.
Mr. Portman said the agreement fails to include the protections against currency manipulation that he has long sought, as well as two other key factors.
“I am disappointed that the President made the decision to have Ambassador Froman sign the TPP agreement in New Zealand. From currency manipulation, to rules of origin for automobiles, to protection for US biologics – we can do better,” he said.
“When it is fair, American workers can compete and win. I cannot support the TPP in its current form because it doesn't provide that level playing field. I will continue to urge the Obama administration to support American workers and address these issues before any vote on the TPP agreement,” Mr. Portman said.
Daniel van Hoogstraten, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party, said, “Just last year, Senator Portman proudly voted for this trade agreement and blocked Congress from making any changes to it — he even bragged that he hadn’t read the bill before voting for it.
”For decades in D.C., Senator Portman has supported unfair trade deals that have cost hundreds of thousands of hardworking Ohioans their jobs, now he’s hoping no one will remember because it’s an election year. Portman’s duplicitous double-talk today is exactly why working Ohioans hate Washington politicians like Portman who lie about their positions to help themselves at our expense,” Mr. Hoogstraten said.
Mr. Portman is seeking election to a second term. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld are vying in the March 15 primary for the Democratic nomination to run against him in November. Both have attacked the Trans-Pacific Partnership as harmful for Ohio jobs.
Last May, Mr. Portman voted with the majority to grant President Obama fast-track negotiating authority, the power to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Under “fast-track” trade promotion authority, Congress cannot change the deal and can pass it with only a simple majority.
Trans-Pacific Partnership is an agreement with 11 other countries.
The Senate rejected a currency manipulation amendment advocated by Mr. Portman and accepted an alternative method that Mr. Portman said lacked teeth.
President Obama, in a split from much of his party, supports the agreement. In previous statements, the White House has said the TPP would boost made-in-America exports, support higher-paying American jobs, and protect American workers.
The agreement with 11 other countries eliminates more than 18,000 taxes on American exports.