Rep. Pascrell Reacts to Reports of China Inquiries Into Joining TTP

Statement

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), New Jersey's only member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement regarding reports that China has made inquiries into possibly joining Trans-Pacific Partnership.

"I am not surprised by the President's admission that China has made inquiries into joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This trade deal, being drafted in an opaque and closed process, will hurt American workers and continue the trend of corporations offshoring jobs and driving down wages. In fact, I offered an amendment stating that China should not be allowed to enter any free trade agreements with the United States unless we can verify that they are not cheating the system by manipulating their currency. Currency manipulation gives China an unfair trade advantage.

"During Ways and Means Committee consideration for the fast track bill, instead of supporting this common sense amendment, my friends on the other side of the aisle opposed it - doubling down on an effort which will harm manufacturing here at home. We simply can't allow China to manipulate its currency to harm our industry and our economy, and I stand committed to fighting for polices that help, not hurt, American workers."

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