| The
Administration strongly supports H.R. 3005 and looks forward to working
with the Congress to provide the President with the authority and
flexibility to secure the greatest possible trade opportunities for
America's farmers, workers, producers, and consumers. H.R. 3005 would
provide Trade Promotion Authority for the President and would establish
special procedures for the consideration of legislation to implement
trade agreements.
Trade
Promotion Authority (TPA) is about asserting American leadership,
strengthening the American economy, and creating American jobs.
A
congressional grant of TPA takes on renewed importance with the
launch of new global trade negotiations. These negotiations can
open markets and provide job creating opportunities for every sector
of the American economy. But the President can strike the best deal
for American workers and families only with approval of TPA. TPA's
enactment will send a powerful signal to our trading partners that
the United States is committed to free and open trade.
TPA
is also essential to put the United States back at the table to
help set the rules of the trading game. Our global influence diminished
in recent years as other countries moved ahead while we have been
stalled. There are currently more than 130 free trade agreements
in the world. The United States is party to only three.
The
Bush Administration is committed to consultations with Congress
to help ensure that the Administration's negotiating objectives
reflect the views of our elected representatives, and that they
will have regular opportunities to provide advice throughout the
negotiating process. H.R. 3005 deepens the traditional partnership
between the Executive branch and the Congress through the creation
of a joint Congressional Oversight Group with broad bipartisan representation
from all the Committees that have jurisdiction over a part of a
trade negotiation.
Without
TPA, the United States will fall behind in shaping the rules of
globalization, our new momentum for trade will be undercut, and
the confidence and growth necessary for economic recovery will be
weakened.
Passage
of H.R. 3005 will send a strong signal of U.S. leadership in trade
liberalization.
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