Rep. Levin Criticizes Obama on Weak TPP Labor Rules Ahead of Nike Speech
House Ways and Means ranking member Sandy Levin, D-Mich., called on the White House to ensure stronger labor protections take shape in the Trans-Pacific Partnership ahead of President Barack Obama’s May 8 trade speech at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.…
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Levin said TPP doesn’t have the same labor assurances that the previous administration ultimately agreed to before Congress implemented recent free trade agreements with Peru, Panama, South Korea and Colombia. “Right now, the laws of Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei are out of compliance with the labor provisions in the TPP,” said Levin (here). “The Administration has not provided members of Congress with the specific changes that are being discussed with these countries – even on a confidential basis – so there is no way to know the full changes that are being discussed.” Labor conditions in Vietnam are particularly “troubling,” and the administration “refuses to accept a suggestion with respect to Vietnam that an independent panel be established from the beginning to ensure compliance with the labor obligations and expedite a dispute,” said Levin, who has stayed out of Trade Promotion Authority negotiations to focus on TPP.