The issue of trade has sort of receded into the background. Yesterday, though, Sen. Sherrod Brown made clear that he is not thrilled with the Administration’s stance:

For too long, our country has followed a Golden Rule trade policy: we treat others as we’d like them to treat us.  That’s a great rule for interpersonal relations, but it’s a disaster for international trade relations.

 

“While I appreciate that the President’s Trade Agenda is strong on trade enforcement and reciprocity, there is no emphasis on ensuring that the trade policies we are pursuing actually benefit the United States.  We still need Ambassador Kirk to develop an action plan to address any negative effects from existing trade agreements.

 

“I’ve introduced The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act which would provide for a thorough review of our trade agreements. We need hard data on the effect our trade agreements have on American wages and jobs, so that we know what we are getting ourselves into before we move forward. We must craft our trade policy around what’s right for American workers and American businesses. I am concerned that, instead, we will cling to the same trade agreement models that have produced such poor results.  

 

“The Administration appears to be moving forward on a trade agenda without showing how it would reduce the trade deficit and create new jobs. I support the President’s National Export Initiative of doubling exports within five years, but we need to look at both sides of the trade equation. We must address the inequities in our trade policy that have resulted in record trade deficits and lost jobs. If we are going to have an aggressive export strategy, we must be willing to use all tools available – which include invoking Super 301 authority and combating currency manipulation – to advance our economic interests.”

   A footnote to the TRADE Act’s prospects. Last fall, I wrote that Charles Rangel was among the people trying to derail or at least slow down the passage of the TRADE Act, using his perch as chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Hmmm…