The Issue:
Trade Promotion Authority (TPA or Fast Track) authorizes the President to negotiate international trade agreements which Congress can then approve or reject, but not amend or filibuster.

AAFA on the Issue:
AAFA urges immediate action to once again grant the president Trade Promotion Authority.  Without TPA, America is abandoning its leadership role on trade relations and ensuring that the international community will move forward with regional and bi-lateral trade agreements without us.

The Latest News:

06.09.08
On June 4, Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) as well as Representatives Michael Michaud (D-ME) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) held a news conference to announce the introduction of the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment Act (TRADE Act) The legislation is intended to provide a mechanism to replace the “fast track” authority used to broker previous trade agreements, and which is now expired. The bill would trigger a review of all existing trade agreements and provide a mechanism to renegotiate them. Additionally, it outlines core principles to be included in future trade agreements and envisions a greater role for Congress in the negotiating process. While Senator Brown acknowledged that the legislation would not pass this year, he expressed confidence that Senator Obama would support the effort if elected president.

06.30.07
TPA received cautious support from some Democrats, but only to the extent that other issues, such as job training, labor rights protection and environmental standards needed to be addressed. Similarly, in the aftermath of the 2006 mid-term elections, a number of Democrats in both chambers, and some Republicans, expressed wariness over any renewal of TPA.  Ultimately, Congress allowed TPA to expire on June 30, 2007.  Prospects for renewal remain uncertain.  (See AAFA News Release)