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 The administration notified lawmakers on Thursday it plans to sign
the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, starting a countdown to a
congressional vote that could come in the middle of next year's
election campaign.
But U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Republican
whose support will be crucial to passing the deal, said that
although he reserved judgment on the fine print, negotiators might
have to go back to the table.
"I understand that renegotiation may be difficult, particularly with
so many parties involved," he said in a speech at the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce, which also has yet to give a verdict on the pact.
"But at the end of the day, the alternative to renegotiation may
very well be no TPP at all."
 Some of President Barack Obama's Democrats have also suggested
renegotiating the deal, which must be ratified by Congress.
But a senior administration official slapped down the call and said
the deal was as good as it gets.
“The idea that renegotiating this agreement could deliver a better
deal is patently false," the official said, speaking on condition of
anonymity.
"This is the strongest possible outcome and reopening it would
unravel a deal that cuts more than 18,000 different taxes various
countries put on Made-in-America goods, reflects American leadership
in the Asia-Pacific, and levels the playing field for American
workers, innovators, and businesses.” Hatch's main concern is the
protection period for next-generation biological drugs. He had
wanted a 12-year minimum, but the TPP settled on five years with a
buffer for administrative processes the administration official said
effectively amounted to eight years.
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While Hatch said he would carefully study the text, released on
Thursday, he also saw problems with provisions on tobacco, labor
rules and dairy.
"We're losing votes as we speak for no good reason," he told
reporters. "My suggestion is, get back to the bargaining table and
let them know that this may not pass."
Hatch said it would be difficult to take up the TPP during an
election year anyway, even in the end-year period between the
election and swearing in the new Congress.
"A lot of people on something this important do not want to have it
passed or rejected by a lame duck Congress," he said.
(Reporting by Krista Hughes; Editing by Lisa Lambert and James
Dalgleish)
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