Twenty-five Republican senators wrote to President Donald Trump on Feb. 21, encouraging him to “work aggressively” to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
“We write in support of your recent comments expressing interest in reengaging with the Trans-Pacific Partnership to bring about a stronger agreement for the United States,” they wrote.
The senators were referencing comments Trump made during his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in late January. At the time, Trump reiterated his previous position, calling the TPP deal “terrible,” but said he “would be open to TPP” if it was made “substantially better.”
“Reducing barriers to trade and investment, protecting American intellectual property rights, and leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses, manufacturers, farmers, fishermen, and ranchers is of utmost importance, and we ask that you prioritize engagement with the TPP so that the American people can prosper from the tremendous opportunities that these trading partners bring,” read the letter.
Trump pulled the U.S. out of the TPP as one of his first actions as president. The 11 remaining countries still participating in the agreement have since forged ahead. On Jan. 23, the Japanese trade minister announced the redrafted Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP 11.
The new agreement was reached with the original participating countries minus the U.S.: Australia; Brunei; Canada; Chile; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Peru; Singapore; and Vietnam.
“As you know, increased economic engagement with the 11 nations currently in the TPP has the potential to substantially improve the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, support millions of U.S. jobs, increase U.S. exports, increase wages, fully unleash America’s energy potential, and benefit consumers,” the senators’ wrote, noting that the TPP 11 countries represent over 500 million people.
“An improved TPP would therefore bolster and sustain the economic growth America has experienced over the past year facilitated by the regulatory reductions and reforms enacted by your administration and the substantial tax cuts that you signed into law.
The TPP 11 agreement is planned to be signed in Chile on March 8. A Japanese business news outlet said at the time that Japanese trade leaders are planning to approach the U.S. with an invitation to join the agreement after it has been completed.
The senators additionally said they were committed to getting “your qualified nominees within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Department of Commerce, and other trade-related federal agencies” quickly considered on the Senate floor.
Up until recently, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)—one of the letter’s signers—had placed a hold on the nomination process of Gregory Doud, Trump’s pick to become chief agricultural trade negotiator.
Flake dropped his hold on Feb. 1 after Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer assured Flake they would work with Doud on seasonal produce concerns in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Though the letter did not address NAFTA by name, it did suggest that reengaging with TPP might help with the efforts to “modernize trade with Canada and Mexico.”
Senators (by last name) who signed the letter are: John Barrasso (WY), Roy Blunt (MO), Richard Burr (NC), John Cornyn (TX), Steve Daines (MT), Mike Enzi (WY), Joni Ernst (IA), Flake (AZ), Cory Gardner (CO), Lindsey Graham (SC), Chuck Grassley (IA), Hatch (UT), Johnny Isakson (GA), Ron Johnson (WI), James Lankford (OK), John McCain (AZ), Jerry Moran (KS), Lisa Murkowski (AK), James Risch (ID), Pat Roberts (KS), Mike Rounds (SD), Ben Sasse (NE), Dan Sullivan (AK), Roger Wicker (MS), and Todd Young (IN). — WLJ
