Paulsen emphasizes importance of trade promotion authority

   Much of the talk during sessions at the American Association of Exporters and Importers’ annual conference in Minneapolis Tuesday centered around how shippers might be affected by ongoing multilateral trade negotiations involving the United States — specifically, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
   To confuse things a bit more, speakers noted the effect that ongoing U.S. Trade Promotion Authority legislation might have on both of these major trade pacts.
   Congressman Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., told the conference that the House’s understanding and appreciation of trade issues is stunted each time a new batch of freshmen members is elected. Paulsen said it takes time to educate them on the impact trade has, especially since trade is rarely a top priority among constituents, calling it an easy issue to “demagogue.”
   He urged attendees to contact their legislators and be vocal about their issues, and urge those legislators to see for themselves the impact that exporters and importers have on the economy.
   “That’s much more important than stats,” he said.
   Paulsen said the impetus behind passing TPA legislation is to ensure that U.S. negotiators are equipped with the tools to negotiate the best possible TPP and TTIP deals. Without the TPA, other participants in the fast-moving TPP negotiations may carry on.
   AAEI President and Chief Executive Officer Marianne Rowden agreed: “The delay in Trade Promotion Authority costs us money. We can’t wait anymore.”