Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, along with U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, has led a bipartisan group of senators urging the Biden Administration to halt secret trade negotiations. The call is directed towards United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai, who is engaged in confidential talks with foreign partners.

The USTR aims to amend three significant trade agreements before the current presidential term ends: 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).

In their letter, the senators expressed concern over "substantive changes to congressionally approved trade agreements on an abbreviated timeline," noting that these are being conducted "out of the view of the public" and without adequate congressional input. They pointed out that Congress was neither consulted nor informed prior to drafting these interpretations for approval by Executive Branch agencies.

The group warned against making concessions that could weaken U.S. leverage in negotiations on key issues such as Mexico's restrictions on U.S. corn and energy, Canada's dairy policies, and digital services taxes under USMCA talks. Additionally, they emphasized resolving ongoing concerns with Colombia regarding labor standards, market access for corn and dairy, and auto regulations.

They stated further: “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 urged President Biden to instruct USTR not to advance negotiation texts without meaningful consultation with Congress and stakeholders.

Senator Marshall and Chairman Crapo are firmly against any efforts by the Biden Administration to constrain future Republican-led governance on trade policy matters.

Other signatories of this letter include Senators Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Steve Daines, Chuck Grassley, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, Todd Young from the Republican side; alongside Democrats Michael Bennet, Chris Coons, Catherine Cortez Masto, Tim Kaine, Alex Padilla, and Mark Warner.

Read the full letter here.