John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.

And now for today’s commentary—

Seven former Secretaries of Agriculture (including yours truly) (Republicans and Democrats) signed a letter supporting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). President Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and the U.S. Trade Representative’s Chief Agriculture Negotiator Darci Vetter are making the case for Congressional approval of TPA.

TPA is a critical tool in the effort to complete the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and, down the road, the European Union Transatlantic Trade Partnership. Those trade agreements support American jobs while they help to increase U.S. ag exports.

We need ag exports. Thirty percent of what we produce is exported. Here is why TPA is so critical. TPA gives the Presidential trade negotiators the authority to negotiate a trade deal. TPA also says once the deal is negotiated, the President can submit the agreement to the Congress for approval. Vote it up or down. Accept it or reject it. If the vote is yes, we have a binding trade agreement. The Congress cannot pick it apart – no amendments. Other countries are not going to negotiate in good faith with us if, once the deal is done, the Congress changes it.

We have always used TPA in the past (the North American Free Trade Agreement; Korean Trade Agreement, and many others).

There is strong support for TPA in ag country, but it has its critics. That would include labor unions and some Republicans that don’t trust President Obama to negotiate a good deal.

The Pacific agreement (TPP) includes 12 Asian countries that represent 40% of the global economy. It’s a great opportunity. Also, we need to negotiate better trading terms with Europe. They have a 30% tariff on our ag products and we have a 12% tariff on theirs. That needs to be fixed.

Secretary Vilsack said, “Trade agreements help level the playing field for agriculture. It is imperative that Congress act on Trade Promotion Authority early this year.” And I agree.

If you would like to review my radio shows going back more than 20 years, just go on- line to www.johnblockreports.com. Have a great weekend.

Until next week, I am John Block from Washington, D.C.