DISCUS Hails Bill To Fast-Track Trade Agreements, Citing Boon To U.S. Exporters

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has thrown its support behind a bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill expected to be introduced in Congress in the coming days, which gives President Obama so-called “fast-track” authority to negotiate free trade agreements, such as the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“With TPA, the President can negotiate with a unified U.S. voice, ensuring that the Administration can secure the best possible agreements for American industry, agriculture, and workers. Congress retains the authority to approve or disapprove the final agreement,” DISCUS said in a statement.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is being negotiated among 12 trading partners (and excludes China), “will benefit U.S. spirits exporters of all sizes and support U.S. jobs across the country,” the trade group added. U.S. spirits exports have tripled to more than $1.5 billion over the past decade. The TPA, however, is not assured passage—some members of both political parties are reticent to grant fast-track authority: Republicans because they say it gives too much power to the President, and Democrats because they fear the TPP will lead to outsourcing of American jobs to countries with lower labor costs.

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