Proposed addition of Japan raises new issues for working Americans
Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), today issued the following statement on a progress report by President Obama during the nine-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) multi-nation negotiations in Hawaii. The TPP is an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement currently being negotiated by the U.S. and the following partners: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. 

“The USW appreciates the Administration’s aggressive outreach on ways that the TPP could support manufacturing and create jobs in the U.S.  We have spent considerable time with our negotiators and have offered specific ideas as to what provisions will achieve our goals.  The USW is committed to working with the Administration to achieve an agreement that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing and create economic opportunity at home for all, not just the fortunate few.

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the first trade agreement being fully negotiated by President Obama. He has the opportunity to put his own stamp on it as a pro-worker, pro-jobs trade agreement ... more