Who’s Driving?

Complaining about Dad’s choice of radio stations was a common occurrence growing up. From the backseat of our Ford Crown Victoria, my siblings and I grumbled about his oldies music and let him know our preferred stations. It really didn’t matter though. As long as he was driving, he chose the music and would take our suggestions under advisement (or simply tune us out).

We don’t want international trade negotiations to happen in a similar way. In reality, the executive branch takes the lead in negotiating deals. The President may or may not ask for Congress’ input during the process, but in the end, any trade agreement must be approved by both chambers to take effect. Unlike me as a kid, lawmakers actually have a little bit of leverage because our president doesn’t want to negotiate a deal only to have it amended or voted down by Congress. Our negotiators want the same commitment from other nations.

This is where Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) comes in. TPA is legislation that ensures Congress is more involved in negotiations by basically setting up a contract between lawmakers and the president. Congress gains more oversight and input and, in return, agrees to vote up or down (without amendments) on the final agreement. To put this in perspective, more than 100 amendments to the 2014 farm bill were considered by the House of Representatives a couple of years ago.

TPA was last approved by Congress in 2002 and it lapsed in 2007. Now the Obama administration is negotiating separate deals with Asia-Pacific countries and the European Union (EU), called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), respectively.

The sheer size and potential economic impact of TPP and T-TIP warrants Congress’ attention — and ours. TPP consists of Japan and 10 other countries. U.S. agriculture exports to these nations were valued at $63 billion in 2014, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. T-TIP includes the EU’s 28 countries. By eliminating or at least reducing trade barriers under both agreements, America’s farmers and ranchers will have better access to about a billion customers.

U. S. trade officials are saying TPP negotiations are in the final stages, making renewal of TPA more critical. Legislation moving in the House of Representatives and Senate, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, would renew TPA, but with strings attached. The administration will be given objectives — almost 150 of them — to pursue along with requirements to consult with Congress during the process. If the administration holds up its end of the deal and negotiators are able to close out an agreement, Congress will give the trade pact an up-ordown vote.

The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act is now before Congress. It may be one of the most important bills considered this year. Other countries need to know the administration and Congress are communicating and serious about reaching an agreement. More importantly, we need to know our president and trade officials are working to reach the best deal possible and are being held accountable along the way.

Much is at stake for agriculture and other sectors when it comes to TPP and T-TIP negotiations. It’s in our best interest to make sure those in the driver’s seat hear us. Congress needs to pass Trade Promotion Authority.