Gov. Herbert backs Fast-Track for controversial trade agreement

<span>SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is calling on Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority, also called “fast-track,” for the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.</span>

<span>Herbert and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper sent </span><a href=”http://www.utah.gov/governor/news_media/article.html?article=20150609-1″ target=”parent”>a letter to Congress</a><span> stressing that the TPP could boost their states’ economies. But they may be in the minority. Dale Cox, who heads the </span><a href=”http://www.utahaflcio.org/” target=”parent”>Utah AFL-CIO</a><span>, said fast-track would give President Obama the power to negotiate the massive trade deal between the United States and 11 other nations, while restricting Congress’ ability to modify it.</span>

<span>”The fast-track bypasses Congress,” he said. “When the trade deal is negotiated, it’s done in secret, nobody knows what’s in it, and the Congress can either vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ – they can’t make additions, deletions.”</span>

<span>The House is preparing to vote on the fast-track proposal, which the Senate already passed. Earlier this month, several groups reportedly presented Congress with petitions containing about 2 million signatures opposing fast-track.</span>

<span>In his letter to Congress, Herbert said $1 billion in U.S. exports supports 5,000 jobs in America. However, Cox said previous international trade agreements have a history of killing jobs.</span>

<span>”My reaction to the governor is, ‘I hope those 5,000 jobs materialize,’ but, as with past trade agreements, it seems more jobs go offshore than come to American citizens,” he said.</span>

<span>Cox said he believes the major problem with the TPP remains that the 1,200-page bill, involving 40 percent of the global economy, has been negotiated in secret, and very little is known about the details. </span>

<span>The Utah AFL-CIO’s website is </span><a href=”http://www.utahaflcio.org/” target=”parent”>utahaflcio.org</a><span>. Herbert’s letter is online at </span><a href=”http://www.utah.gov/governor/news_media/article.html?article=20150609-1″ target=”parent”>utah.gov</a><span>.</span>

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