Warren, DeLauro Call for Better Engagement with Congress, Public on Proposed Indo-Pacific and Americas Trade Deals, No TPP 2.0
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee (D-Conn.), sent a letter to the Biden administration requesting that the agencies involved engage in robust consultation with Congress and outside stakeholders on the recently announced Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), and urging them learn from the failures of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The letter was sent to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“We urge you to consider the lessons of past trade negotiations that too often were conducted in secret, with members of Congress, workers and their unions, environmentalists, and consumer advocates largely unable to review text and ensure their interests were addressed,” the lawmakers wrote. “…If negotiations on IPEF and APEP proceed, we urge you to ensure that any agreement benefits American workers, not corporate offshoring, and to provide Congress and the public with clearer insight into your approach to the negotiation process, including through robust consultation throughout the process and congressional approval of any binding commitments.”
The proposed partners for IPEF include nations such as Vietnam and Malaysia with autocratic governments, terrible human and labor rights practices, and poor environmental protections. While the Office of U.S. Trade Representative has committed to including strong labor standards, including country-specific provisions where needed, other agencies have yet to make a similar commitment.
This letter was also signed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), as well as Representatives Peter Defazio (D-Ore.), Robert C. Scott (D-Va.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio.), and Janice D. Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
Senator Warren has long pushed for trade policy that benefits American workers, not corporate interests:
- In July 21, 2022, Senator Warren and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo raising questions about the revolving door between the Department of Commerce and Big Tech companies, and its potential impact on global digital trade rules.
- On April 12, 2022, Senators Warren and Bob Casey sent letters to USTR Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo regarding their plans to negotiate an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and how this new trade deal may impact U.S. workers.
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