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What role does Congress play in approving international trade agreements?

Earline Meneghi

Congress plays a crucial role in the approval of international trade agreements in the United States. As a co-equal branch of government alongside the Executive Branch, Congress is responsible for establishing and regulating policies on a range of issues, including international trade. In order for the US to enter into any trade agreement, it must first be approved by Congress.

International trade agreements, or free trade agreements (FTAs), are treaties that set guidelines for trade between countries. They typically cover a wide range of topics, such as tariff reduction, intellectual property rights, investment, and labor and environmental standards. The negotiation and implementation of FTAs are typically led by the Executive Branch, specifically by the Office of the US Trade Representative, but the agreement must be approved by Congress before it can become effective.

The approval process starts when the President provides notice to Congress that he intends to negotiate a new trade agreement or modify an existing one. From there, the Executive Branch will work with Congress and various stakeholders to define the terms of the proposed agreement. Once an agreement is reached, the Office of the US Trade Representative will formally submit a draft agreement to Congress for consideration. At this point, the agreement will be reviewed by various congressional committees, including the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, which are responsible for trade issues.

These committees will hold hearings, consider feedback from stakeholders, and make revisions to the agreement as necessary. Once any revisions are made, the final agreement is put to a vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If the agreement passes both chambers, it is sent to the President for signature. Only then can the agreement be implemented.

In recent years, Congress has become increasingly involved in the approval process for trade agreements due to concerns about the impact of globalization on US workers. One example of this is the debate surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed trade agreement between the US and 11 other Pacific Rim countries. The TPP faced significant opposition from labor groups and many Democrats who feared that it would lead to the outsourcing of jobs and erosion of labor standards. In the end, the TPP was left unratified as a result of the lack of support of the US.

In conclusion, the role of Congress in approving international trade agreements is essential to the process of establishing trade policies in the US. Congress is responsible for ensuring that all trade agreements are consistent with US laws and interests by reviewing them, making any necessary revisions, and approving them before they can become effective. Through its oversight role, Congress has the ability to shape trade policies in a way that reflect the needs and concerns of American workers and businesses.