Senator Warren Presses White House to Release Pacific Trade Text

[n2doc]

President Barack Obama’s administration should release documents the U.S. and 10 other Pacific-region nations are using as they negotiate a new trade agreement, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said.

In a letter to Michael Froman, Obama’s nominee to lead the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, the Massachusetts lawmaker said releasing details of what is being considered by the parties would give citizens a chance to evaluate the deal before negotiations are completed.

“I appreciate the willingness of the USTR to make various documents available for review by members of Congress, but I do not believe that is a substitute for more robust public transparency,” Warren wrote to Froman, who is now an assistant to the president. “If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.”

The letter, dated yesterday, was provided to Bloomberg. It doesn’t link the request to Froman’s Senate pending confirmation.

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http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-13/senator-warren-presses-white-house-to-release-pacific-trade-text

[ananda]

1. Yes, transparency please.

Thank you, Senator Warren.

[Vincardog]

2. ++ Double Plus Damned Straight

[pa28]

3. Thank you Senator Warren! The TPP is a burning issue in Japan and Australia.

Incredibly, very few people in the US seem to be aware of the scope of this agreement and that appears to be the plan. The administration wants TPP negotiated in secret and approved by fast track with no discussion or amendment.

[Enthusiast]

4. I don't need to see a transcript to know

that this is a bad deal for the American worker. But I applaud Elizabeth Warren anyway.

I don't want to fine tune the trade deal. I want to kill it in its cradle.