The Senate today gave final approval of legislation reinstating Trade Promotion Authority, the process widely seen as critical to enacting new trade agreements. The vote clears the way for the President’s consideration. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa made the following comment on the vote.
“CNBC just named Iowa the no. 10 state in the country for doing business. A good place to do business means good jobs. A big part of the Iowa business climate includes exports. Many of our jobs are supported by exports, and they’re good-paying as a result. Trade Promotion Authority is key to finalizing the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This agreement would benefit Iowa and its many export-dependent jobs. Almost 40 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product is from the 12 countries participating in the negotiations. Several of the participating countries are expected to add billions of people to their middle class in the next several years. The trade agreement would allow those individuals to buy more products from Iowa and the rest of the United States. Iowa produces everything from farm commodities to heavy machinery to financial services. Emerging markets should have access to what Iowans produce, to the benefit of Iowans.”
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