Portman Commends Signing of Bipartisan Export Opening Agreements and Worker Retraining Assistance into Law

Statement

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today issued the following statement after President Obama signed the implementing legislation for the export opening agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama. Sen. Portman helped negotiate these pacts while serving as U.S. Trade Representative. He also played an integral role in helping to reform retraining assistance programs to help workers who compete in the global economy.

"I'm very pleased that after years of delay, the President finally submitted these job producing agreements, allowing the Congress to pass them with large bipartisan margins.

"According to the President's metrics, these agreements will create 250,000 American jobs and provide a much-needed boost for American exports. They were supported by American businesses and workers, labor groups, bipartisan majorities in Congress and a Democratic President.

"I'm also glad the President signed into law Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). TAA is an important program for Ohio workers -- including over 25,000 Ohioans last year - that helps them get back on their feet and get the training that they need to compete in the global economy.

"I hope these agreements are just the beginning of policies we can pass to help create further opportunities for American manufacturers, farmers and service providers who compete globally. The Administration should aggressively continue the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, consider new bilateral export agreements, and request Trade Promotion Authority so our trade negotiators can get the best possible deal at the negotiating table.

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