Hatch Warns USTR Against Closing Weak TPP Deal
Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah warned the Obama administration on Sept. 29 against hastily closing a Trans-Pacific Partnership that falls short of congressional objectives laid out in Trade Promotion Authority legislation. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is currently hosting a TPP ministerial in Atlanta.
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Some industry members have speculated the negotiations are poised for conclusion (see 1509220048). TPP negotiators still need to resolve “key” outstanding issues in a way that sufficiently serves the U.S. agenda or lawmakers will ultimately buck the agreement, he said. “If the administration is serious about, not only getting an agreement, but getting that agreement passed, they need to make sure they get our country the best deal possible,” said Hatch. “If that means continuing negotiations beyond Atlanta, so be it. Getting a good agreement will be worth the wait.”
Hatch has led Senate efforts to ensure the TPP includes 12 years of data protection for biologics (see 1505130065). He also recently pushed Canada to expand dairy access for U.S. exporters (see 1507280015).