Rep. Zeldin Statement of Support for President Trump Withdrawing U.S. from TPP

Statement

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement in support of President Donald Trump's executive order, which was just signed, to withdraw the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP):

"I commend President Trump for his decision to sign an Executive Order today, withdrawing the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). I have read the TPP, and this flawed international agreement has been appropriately coined 'NAFTA on Steroids'.

Trade is vital to the U.S. economy, but the entire process of negotiating trade agreements needs to improve. In reality, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation should be passed before a negotiation is started, not five years into negotiations. Negotiating objectives should be set before negotiating, not towards the end. Furthermore, the process of turning off 'fast track' should be made remarkably simple if negotiating objectives aren't met. There also needs to be a process along the way that assures the American public that the negotiating objectives are being strictly and completely adhered to.

With over 38 million American jobs tied to trade, trade is a driving force in our economy. We need to advance trade deals that level the playing field so that American workers, families and businesses can compete and win in the global marketplace. American exceptionalism is the United States taking the lead in the global economy. We must advance policies that increase GDP, boost a trade surplus, and export American goods, not American jobs, in order to strengthen our economy and security. Growth opportunities are currently abroad with 96 percent of the world's customers living outside our nation's borders. Now is not too early or too late to recalibrate and re-engage in a way that the American public feels like their voices and input are being heard and that their representatives in Congress are setting the conditions and not just going along to get along. I look forward to working with everyone - our President, Congress, employers and employees, the CEO and the regular Joe - and get on the same page where the people's voice is leading the way with a trade agenda that we are all more invested in and proud of.

Working together, we must continue to insist on advancing trade agreements that strengthen the middle class, place America first, and deliver more opportunities to hardworking American families. We must ensure that any trade deals entered into by the United States are in the absolute best interest of the American economy, American companies, and the American worker. Through better trade deals, we can keep the U.S. competitive in the global marketplace and boost 'Made in America' products, which will help grow our economy, and keep our money and good paying jobs here."

Source