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 In a speech aimed at combating domestic opposition to free trade
deals, Froman said increasing exports created more and better-paying
jobs and urged Americans to get behind the Trans-Pacific
Partnership, or TPP.
The TPP, currently being negotiated among 12 Pacific Rim countries,
is under fire from interest groups ranging from unions and
environmental lobbyists, who fear an erosion of U.S. standards, to
conservative Republicans wanting a bigger role for Congress in
deciding trade priorities.
"Skeptics need to assess what a world without TPP would mean,"
Froman said in a speech at the left-leaning Center for American
Progress think tank.
"The world without TPP is a world with lower labor standards, weaker
environmental protections and fewer opportunities for job growth."
Froman said a new public interest panel would be added to a network
of trade advisory committees that already includes groups
representing issues like labor, the environment, and industry
sectors.
All advisory committee members have access to the text of U.S.
negotiating proposals.
Lobby groups said the balance of the advisory committee was still
skewed toward commercial interests and the change would not help
educate the public due to confidentiality constraints for those
sitting on the committees.
"The public has zero access to negotiating texts — even though
corporations and the countries with whom the U.S. is negotiating do — and is therefore handcuffed in making meaningful suggestions,"
said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, which is part of
a campaign against the TPP.
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Froman also urged Congress to move forward with giving the White
House power to fast-track trade negotiations.
Several senior Democrats have balked at a bill currently before
Congress that would allow the Obama administration to submit free
trade agreements to lawmakers for an up-and-down vote, without
amendments. Some Democrats are working on an alternative version
with stronger provisions against currency manipulation and more
worker safeguards.
"We are eager for Congress to step forward and update its role in
trade negotiations, to make clear which members or committees should
be involved, how those consultations should be conducted and what
rules of transparency should apply," Froman said.
(Reporting by Krista Hughes; editing by Andrew Hay)
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