25 Former Cabinet Secretaries: Enact TPA

‘We Write To Express Our Strongest Possible Support For The Enactment Of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation’

FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARIES: ‘Compelling Strategic Rationale’ For Trade

SEVEN FORMER SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE: “We write to express our strongest possible support for the enactment of Trade Promotion Authority legislation, which is critical to the successful conclusion of two vital trade agreements: the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).” (Former Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, William Perry, Harold Brown, & Other Military Leaders, Letter To Congressional Leadership, 5/7/15)

‘As former Secretaries of Defense and military leaders we believe there is … compelling strategic rationale’ “While the economic benefits of both these agreements would be substantial, as former Secretaries of Defense and military leaders we believe there is an equally compelling strategic rationale for TPP and TTIP.” (Former Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, William Perry, Harold Brown, & Other Military Leaders, Letter To Congressional Leadership, 5/7/15)

“First and foremost, the conclusion of these agreements would be a powerful symbol of continued U.S. leadership and engagement globally. They would reinforce relationships with important allies and partners in critical regions of the world. By binding us closer together with Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia, among others, TPP would strengthen existing and emerging security relationships in the Asia-Pacific, and reassure the region of America’s long-term staying power.” (Former Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, William Perry, Harold Brown, & Other Military Leaders, Letter To Congressional Leadership, 5/7/15)

“The result will be deeper regional economic integration, increased political cooperation, and ultimately greater stability in the two regions of the world that will have the greatest long-term impact on U.S. prosperity and security. Indeed, TPP in particular will shape an economic dynamic over the next several decades that will link the United States with one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic regions. If, however, we fail to move forward with TPP, Asian economies will almost certainly develop along a China-centric model. In fact, China is already pursuing an alternative regional free trade initiative.” (Former Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, William Perry, Harold Brown, & Other Military Leaders, Letter To Congressional Leadership, 5/7/15)

‘The stakes are clear. There are tremendous strategic benefits… America’s prestige, influence, and leadership are on the line’ “The stakes are clear. There are tremendous strategic benefits to TPP and TTIP, and there would be harmful strategic consequences if we fail to secure these agreements. In both Asia-Pacific and the Atlantic, our allies and partners would question our commitments, doubt our resolve, and inevitably look to other partners. America’s prestige, influence, and leadership are on the line.” (Former Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, William Perry, Harold Brown, & Other Military Leaders, Letter To Congressional Leadership, 5/7/15)

FORMER TREASURY SECRETARIES: ‘Expanded International Trade Means More American Jobs’

TEN FORMER SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY: “We write to express support for Congressional renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).” (Former Secretaries Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, Jr., John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Nicholas Brady, James Baker, III, W. Michael Blumenthal, George Shultz, Letter To Congressional Leaders, 4/21/15)?

“Our support for open trade agreements is based on a simple premise: expanding the size of the market where American goods and services can compete on a level playing field is good for American workers and their families. Expanded international trade means more American jobs and higher American incomes. It means greater access for American businesses to markets and consumers around the world, and it means lower prices for American families here at home. International trade, and the trade agreements that enable it, is happening and will continue to happen whether or not the United States participates. Our choice is to give American businesses and innovators the opportunity to share in the advantages those agreements provide or to remain outside the agreements and allow our competitors to benefit alone. The enactment of TPA will directly improve our ability to complete trade initiatives that advance U.S. economic and geopolitical interests.” (Former Secretaries Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, Jr., John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Nicholas Brady, James Baker, III, W. Michael Blumenthal, George Shultz, Letter To Congressional Leaders, 4/21/15)?

“Because we believe an agreement is strongly in the economic and security interests of the United States, we respectfully urge Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority.” (Former Secretaries Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, Jr., John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Nicholas Brady, James Baker, III, W. Michael Blumenthal, George Shultz, Letter To Congressional Leaders, 4/21/15)?

FORMER AGRICULTURE SECRETARIES: ‘We Know Firsthand The Importance Of Trade To America's Farm And Ranch Families’

EIGHT FORMER SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE: “As former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture, we know firsthand the importance of trade to America's farm and ranch families. Access to export markets is vital for increasing sales and supporting farm income at home. Recognizing the importance of exports, we worked hard to open foreign markets, including negotiating new or expanded trade agreements with other countries. Trade agreements lead to expanded agricultural exports by promoting economic growth, removing trade barriers and import duties and developing mutually beneficial trade rules.” (Former Secretaries Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter, John Block, Robert Bergland, Letter To Congress, 2/27/15)

“Key to our ability to negotiate and implement market-opening agreements has been enactment of trade negotiating authority. This authority, now called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), ensures that the U.S. has the credibility to conclude the best deal possible at the negotiating table. TPA also ensures common negotiating objectives between the President and the Congress, and a continuous consultation process prior to final Congressional approval or disapproval of a trade agreement.” (Former Secretaries Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter, John Block, Robert Bergland, Letter To Congress, 2/27/15)

‘We encourage Congress to enact Trade Promotion Authority and support trade agreements that help U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers thrive’ “Trade helps farmers, their suppliers, distributors and customers. Exports support rural economies and the U.S. economy as a whole through agricultural processing, ancillary services and a host of related businesses. This was true when each of us served as US Secretary of Agriculture, and it is true now. … For us, the choice is clear: we encourage Congress to enact Trade Promotion Authority and support trade agreements that help U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers thrive.” (Former Secretaries Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter, John Block, Robert Bergland, Letter To Congress, 2/27/15)

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: Free Trade, National Security, Trade Promotion Authority

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