AFL-CIO Calls for Strong Auto, Labor Rules in TPP as Ministerial Approaches
The AFL-CIO spelled out union priorities for a Trans-Pacific Partnership in recent letters to lawmakers in both chambers that voted in favor of Trade Promotion Authority. The TPP is “designed to be infinitely expandable” and therefore “demands a dramatically different approach to trade," said the letters. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Thailand, Burma and China may be considered as additions to the pact. Many trade supporters have viewed TPA as necessary to lock down TPP.
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The House and Senate advanced TPA throughout the course of June, and President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law on June 29 (see 1506290045). The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will host a TPP ministerial in Hawaii at the end of July (see 1507070064). USTR says it aims to work hard to close remaining gaps in TPP negotiations, but agency spokesmen declined to comment on whether USTR aims to conclude the talks in Hawaii.
TPP must put in place strong auto rules of origin, said the letters, dated July 10. “We ask you to fulfill your promise that the TPP will boost U.S. exports, and hold the administration accountable to ensure the inclusion of strong rules of origin for autos and auto parts,” the letters said. “This means that auto rules of origin in the TPP must be at least equal to, and preferably higher than, those in every other U.S. trade agreement, including NAFTA.”
Trumka also pushed lawmakers to make sure TPP environment and labor provisions reflect the May 10 Agreement, the benchmark preferred by many Democrats on Capitol Hill. “At least four TPP countries (Brunei, Malaysia, Mexico and Vietnam) are currently egregiously out of compliance with [International Labor Organization] standards,” he said in the letters. “It has been more than 20 years since NAFTA went into effect, but Mexican workers are still waiting for their government to comply with NAFTA’s labor obligations.” Trumka also pressed lawmakers on currency manipulation, state-owned enterprises, climate provision, investment and other provisions.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for copies of the House and Senate letters.