|
 Ronna Rice, CEO of a Greeley, Colorado honey company that ships
its sweet product as far as Japan, South Korea and China, will be
one of 23 guests in the First Lady's box to hear the speech in
person.
Inviting Americans whose stories bring to life the priorities of the
White House has long been part of the annual State of the Union
ritual.
As Obama pushes in his last year in office to sweet-talk trade-wary
Democratic lawmakers to support the 12-nation Trans-Pacific
Partnership, Rice's Lucky Clover Honey is just the kind of company
the White House wants Congress to keep in mind.
When the White House called to invite her to the State of Union
address, Rice, 71, thought one of her family members was playing a
practical joke.
 But the honey, sold in jars emblazoned with a black-and-white photo
of her husband's grandfather, is one of thousands of American
exports that could get a lift from the TPP.
"I was thinking the other day about Grandpa Rice," she said in an
interview, describing the quiet and deeply religious man who founded
Rice's Lucky Clover Honey in 1924, selling honey door-to-door from a
wagon.
"He would have never believed where his company has come."
Obama wants lawmakers to quickly pass the TPP, but Senate Republican
leader Mitch McConnell has said he is inclined to wait until after
the November 2016 presidential election.
Democratic lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate
are concerned the deal could push jobs out of the United States.
Environmental groups and unions oppose it, as do the Democratic
candidates running in the presidential race.
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Some Republicans suspect the deal is another example of "crony
capitalism" that rewards big business allies of the Washington
establishment.
So Obama has sought to brand the TPP as something that will help
small American companies like Rice's Lucky Clover Honey grow bigger.
The TPP will open up export markets for U.S. honey, particularly in
Japan, where a tariff of more than 25 percent currently limits
growth. China, not part of the TPP deal, currently dominates the
Japanese import market.
The deal requires Japan to eliminate the tariff on U.S. honey after
eight years, after which time U.S. exporters would have an advantage
over Chinese competitors.
Today, Rice's Lucky Clover Honey ships around the United States and
has export sales of about $500,000 to Asia, supporting 15 jobs. The
family-run company hopes to further expand sales overseas, and
create more jobs.
"It's kind of amazing to be honest with you, to go from a very small
company ... to being able to do this," Rice said.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
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