WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement after an agreement was reached among the 12 nations negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):

“Because these negotiations have been done in secret and without meaningful consultations with Congress, it is hard to say exactly what USTR has agreed to in Atlanta.  But let me be clear – a deal that doesn’t include a minimum of NAFTA’s auto provisions or strong and enforceable currency provisions is no deal for American workers and manufacturers. And a deal that limits access to affordable medicines will have serious consequences for the U.S. and global health standards. Our trade policy should make it easier to sell American-made products around the world, but also require our trading partners to live up to strong labor and environmental standards from day one. I am encouraged by reports of provisions that will protect tobacco control measures from challenges by big tobacco corporations and hope the text of the agreement reflects true progress on that issue. I urge USTR to make the text public immediately in order to allow Congress, their staff, and the public to see for ourselves how the TPP will affect American workers.”

 

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