Rep. Doggett Urges Froman to Disclose Details on TPP Tariff Cuts

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, a vocal trade critic, pushed U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to release details on tariff cuts in the Trans-Pacific Partnership in an Oct. 22 letter. Doggett asked for “a complete, comprehensive list of each cut” that spells out the current tariffs in place, the final tariff reductions, the reduction schedule, rule of origin terms for auto parts, electronics, textiles and apparel, as well as other requests. Froman has touted TPP’s elimination of 18,000 “tax” cuts since negotiators wrapped up the talks in early October (see 1510050020). “It is important to provide this detail to understand how much exports from the U.S. will increase, if any, as a result of the tariff reductions,” said Doggett. “For example, a cut in the snowshoe tariff to Malaysia is not likely to impact our trade deficit. You have not advised what ‘tax cuts’ Americans can expect from the agreement.”