Representatives from 12 Pacific Rim countries finalized one of the most sweeping trade deals in decades Monday, drawing statements of support and criticism from Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, championed by President Barack Obama, would standardize labor and environmental regulations and reduce trade barriers between countries in Asia and North America.
“When more than 95 percent of our potential customers live outside our borders, we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy,” Obama said in a statement. “We should write those rules, opening new markets to American products while setting high standards for protecting workers and preserving our environment.”
Proponents of the deal say it would open up new markets for U.S. goods. U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Wis., said he is optimistic the measure would create more avenues for dairy products made in Wisconsin.
“I am very hopeful that this deal will give Wisconsinites the ability to sell more of our goods overseas, helping us trade more of the products of our strong manufacturing industry with the rest of the world and hopefully opening up new markets for our cheese, milk, and butter,” Ribble said in a statement.
Other lawmakers criticized the proposal, saying it is detrimental to American workers. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., called for the release of the deal’s text, saying the negotiation process lacked transparency.
“Past trade deals have been a disaster for American workers, so it is imperative Congress rigorously reviews this deal to ensure the American people are not being taken for a ride yet again,” Pocan said in a statement.
Senate candidate Russ Feingold, who is running against U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., to regain the seat he occupied until 2010, also expressed skepticism of the deal.
“Wisconsin's working families see the Trans-Pacific Partnership for what it is, a raw deal written in secret for corporate interests at the expense of Wisconsin jobs,” Feingold said in a statement.
The deal needs Congressional approval but lawmakers can only vote to approve or disapprove the deal, not amend it.
