East Idaho Times

U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo and Ranking Member Ron Wyden have led a bipartisan group of senators urging the Biden Administration to halt secret trade negotiations with foreign partners. The senators are concerned that U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is attempting to modify three major trade agreements without public scrutiny or congressional consultation.

The trade agreements in question include the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, and the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The administration aims to finalize these changes by the end of President Biden's term.

"Unfortunately, USTR is pursuing substantive changes to congressionally approved trade agreements on an abbreviated timeline, out of the view of the public, and without meaningful congressional consultation," wrote the senators. They further criticized USTR for not consulting Congress before drafting interpretations and seeking approval from Executive Branch agencies.

The senators argue that making concessions could undermine U.S. leverage in addressing issues such as Mexico's restrictions on U.S. corn and energy, Canada's dairy policies, and digital service taxes. They also emphasize unresolved concerns with Colombia regarding labor standards, market access for corn and dairy, and auto regulations.

"Robust consultations with Congress and stakeholders would help USTR ensure that its engagements help Americans get what they were promised under U.S. trade agreements," they continued. "To put it simply, trade policy is too important to keep Americans in the dark."

Crapo and Wyden have consistently advocated for transparency in trade agreements through collaboration with Congress. They previously called on the Biden administration to enforce USMCA commitments from Canada and Mexico for American workers' benefit in January 2022. In May 2022, they highlighted Ambassador Tai's failure to follow transparency guidelines set by the administration.

In November 2023, Crapo and Wyden urged comprehensive consultations on digital trade policy to counter repressive measures by Russia and China while promoting open markets for American digital exports.

Chairman Crapo has expressed strong opposition to any efforts by the Biden Administration that might limit future Republican administrations or Congresses regarding trade policy.

The letter was signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Steve Daines, Chuck Grassley, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, Todd Young, Michael Bennet, Chris Coons, Catherine Cortez Masto, Tim Kaine, Alex Padilla, and Mark Warner.