Walberg Statement on Trade Promotion Authority

Washington, DC – Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) released the following statement regarding his vote on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which establishes the guidelines for Congress and the President for negotiating future trade agreements. In Michigan, more than 1.2 million jobs are dependent on American trade.

"My top priority in Congress is building a healthy economy and creating opportunities for Michigan families and workers to find and keep a good-paying job. Selling American-made products and services is an important way to create American jobs and boost economic growth. If given the chance under free and fair trade, American workers can compete with anyone in the world.

"While TPA is not a trade agreement, it is instead a way to hold this President and any future President accountable to both the American worker and Congress. Should a trade agreement come up in the future before Congress, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), I will carefully evaluate its merits to ensure it is free and fair, levels the playing field for American workers, cracks down on currency manipulation, and sets the stage for more good-paying jobs here at home," said Rep Walberg.

The TPA includes 150 negotiating objectives the Administration must meet when pursuing trade agreements like the TPP and require that any agreement be posted online for 60 days before it comes for a vote. When a trade agreement does come for an up or down vote, Congress can reject the agreement if it determines the objectives are not met and send the President back to the negotiating table.