US Trade Rep. says US free-trade agenda in danger
KTIC 840 Rural Radio
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2006 (Reuters) - Congress could refuse next year to renew the White House's ability to negotiate trade agreements unless free trade supporters can win over critics, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said on Friday.
"I fear that this agenda -- and all of the benefits that will flow from it -- are in danger," Portman said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.
Portman, who is leaving his job to become White House budget director, said he was worried Congress might not renew trade promotion authority, or TPA, when it expires in mid-2007. That legislation allows the White House to negotiate trade agreements that can not be amended by Congress.
"As a practical matter, without TPA protection from amendments, countries are unlikely to conclude trade deals with the United States," Portman said. "I am concerned that if that happens, the leadership of United States could be marginalized and we could find ourselves sidelined as other countries conclude trade agreements without us."
A copy of the speech, which blamed the media for helping create protectionist sentiment, was released in Washington.
"Commentators on radio or night news shows, through an arbitrary selection of anecdotes, pieces of data or simple error, stoke anxiety about trade in the hearts of millions," Portman said.
"In fact, the livelihoods of millions of workers, shareholders and farmers -- and maintaining our standard of living -- is dependent more than ever on expanding trade," he said.
The Bush administration has had trade promotion authority since 2002 and used it negotiate free trade pacts with Chile, Singapore, Morocco, Australia and other countries in the Middle East and Central and South America.
Portman is leaving his post at a critical time in world trade negotiations, which are still far from resolution after four years of talks.
His expected successor, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, warned this week that countries have to reach agreement on key elements of a world trade deal by the end of July to get a final agreement to Congress before trade promotion authority expires.
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