As the Obama administration seeks to wrap up the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), lawmakers urged passage of legislation that would give President Obama “fast-track” trade promotion authority (TPA).
In a recent hearing to discuss the bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act, lawmakers said the legislation would give them a stronger voice in the negotiation process and would provide for tougher, enforceable rules against barriers to U.S. agriculture, according to Agri-Pulse.
“Challenges remain for U.S. agriculture because ag exports often face barriers imposed by countries that keep U.S. products from reaching their target markets, such as unscientific sanitary and phytosanitary measures on pesticides and food additives,” said James S. Allen, president and chief executive officer of the New York Apple Association.