Bill Would Require Public Release of US Negotiating Positions After Each FTA Round

Legislation recently introduced by Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., would require the executive branch to publish U.S. negotiating positions on a public website after every discussion round, throughout all free trade agreement negotiations, including new and past U.S. proposals. Under the Promoting Transparency in Trade Act (H.R. 6141), if a presidential administration fails to provide such updates, the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees could initiate resolutions that, if passed, would nullify the president’s fast-track trade authorities, thereby blocking final U.S. approval of trade agreements. Currently, Trade Promotion Authority only requires the president to notify or consult with Congress regarding negotiation objectives at least 90 days before the initiation of FTA talks. The bill defines a “negotiating round” as a meeting to negotiate trade agreements with all parties to the deal.

Further, the bill would require the U.S. Trade Representative to appoint individuals for the agency’s chief transparency officer position that do not, because of “any other position the individual holds or otherwise,” have any conflicts of interest in ensuring transparency in USTR activities, including trade negotiations. “Our country’s trade negotiations are neither transparent nor accessible, and do not reflect input from Congress or the working men and women we represent. What is most outrageous is that the role of USTR Transparency Officer is currently held by their General Counsel -- hardly an unbiased person who would be working in the interests of transparency,” Dingell said in a statement (here). “This legislation would ensure that future trade negotiations are open to public debate so the American people can see for themselves whether these agreements are good for them and their families, and so Congress can carry out our constitutional responsibility to ensure trade deals promote economic growth and keep jobs in this country.”

Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the bill text.