Letter to the Editor of San Antonio Express News - TPP Demands Open Dialogue
Letter
The questionable outlook for the Trans-Pacific Partnership results mostly from bad policy, not politics. Nor do agreements promoting more trade require the pervasive secrecy demanded by U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman. At this late date, the final language of TPP and its side deals still remain hidden from Congress and the public. We should seek open, candid dialogue, like that encouraged by those European trading partners, who actually publish their trade negotiating proposals.
The recent column did correctly note that we both have actively supported export financing and insurance so important to many local small businesses and to Boeing. Despite the unwillingness of every Texas Republican Congress member to support a vote on renewing the Export-Import Bank, we are determined to promptly approve this pro-trade legislation.And why question the political motives of Rep. Joaquín Castro when the policy concerns he voiced --Malaysian human trafficking and climate change -- are so well justified and unrefuted?
Since the applied tariff rate for about 90 percent of American exports to TPP countries is already zero, TPP has less to do with lowering tariffs than lowering the bar on foreign corporate behavior.
Recently at Sunset Station, in explaining her TPP opposition, Hillary Clinton emphasized how this deal fails to prevent foreign governments from unfairly helping their exporters by manipulating the value of their currency downward, at the expense of competing American businesses. This deal advantages pharmaceutical manufacturers rather than protecting patients from price gouging. It promotes Vietnam, which lacks protections for workers, who can be paid 60 cents an hour. It gives foreigners advantages over Americans in challenging health and safety laws that could cost taxpayers dearly.
Since I have previously supported trade expansion with most TPP countries, I do believe more trade, on reasonable terms, can mean more San Antonio jobs and welcome continued good counsel from our business community. Let's seek trade in a way that reflects American values and exports more goods, not more jobs.
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