Betsy Ward and Tom Vilsack

WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward attended a trade briefing at the White House yesterday with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Chief U.S. Agriculture Ambassador Darci Vetter where they discussed the current status of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) negotiations.  Ward and other agricultural commodity groups in attendance were encouraged to press Congress to grant the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). 

Echoing comments he made to USA Rice members last week during a speech at the USA Rice Government Affairs Conference, Vilsack spoke of the importance of trade agreements for agricultural market access.  Saying that this is the "signature moment for your involvement," he praised the groups for their efforts thus far, but noted that free-trade opponents have done a better job of motivating their membership to make individual contacts in opposition to TPA.  

Vetter said that if the Obama Administration is to finish TPP this year, then TPA must pass this spring.  With the administration making an all-out push, Ward noted, "the rice industry has long been a supporter of TPA and trade agreements that have been beneficial to U.S.-grown rice like the Colombia FTA and NAFTA, and we are urging the administration to negotiate similar benefits in the TPP and T-TIP."

USA Rice signed a broad agriculture letter in support of TPA on February 5.

Ward also urged the Administration to keep ag groups informed when they are promoting TPA around the country so everyone can facilitate grower attendance and participation.  Attendees at the briefing agreed that having an actual bill to support will help motivate grassroots constituents to contact Members of Congress.

If TPA is passed, Congress will assess individual trade agreements, like TPP, against TPA provisions and vote up or down on implementing legislation.  TPA provides assurance to foreign countries that agreements reached with U.S. negotiators cannot be amended by Congress and, more importantly, provides clear negotiating direction to the President against which the deals his negotiators bring home will be measured.

Contact:  Bob Cummings (703) 236-1473

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