“I’m in favor of smaller trade agreements and letting the public in on them while they’re being negotiated. I see no need for secrecy, especially from “the most transparent administration ever.””
Negotiations are inherently ‘secret’ since none of the parties are willing to disclose their bargaining strategies.
Opening up the negotiations to the public is also opening them to Congress. You wind up negotiating with the individual members of Congress. This CongressCritter wants this for his vote. That CC wants that. You wind up with an “Omnibus” trade bill. Can you imagine all the special provisions that Congress would insert? Up to and including additional bike paths for Cleveland.
Transparency sounds good but it is impractical in trade negotiations.
“Transparency sounds good but it is impractical in trade negotiations.”
I’m willing to forgo any trade negotiations that permanently bind us to a course of action until we have a president I trust. (That may never happen.) In which case my governor has done just fine bringing jobs and trade to Florida.
This is EXACTLY why the Founders wanted trade deals to be difficult to ratify....because large interests can manipulate events to their advantage.
Now, we get lousy deals with up/down simple majority votes.
Anyone who honors the constitution knows this is wrong.
TPA is to trade deals what the nuclear option is to executive nominees.