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Johnson & Baldwin Spit on Senate Trade Vote
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/27/2015

In a rare occasion in the U.S. Senate, Wisconsin's Ron Johnson, a Republican, voted to give President Barack Obama fast-track trade authority on Friday, while Democrat Tammy Baldwin voted no. Johnson was among 62 Senators to move the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 forward--essentially allowing the White House to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement this year.

"Our state grows and manufactures many things that consumers throughout the U.S. and around the world want to buy," Sen. Johnson said. "That global demand for Wisconsin products helps fuel our state economy and creates good paying jobs. Those jobs, and future job growth, would be put at risk if the U.S. withdraws from trade agreements and cedes foreign markets to global competitors."

Meanwhile, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte praised Johnson's vote, saying TPA streamlines negotiations and strengthens our position at the bargaining table.

"With 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside of the United States, the free trade agreements that will result from passing Trade Promotion Authority will benefit our farm families with new markets and lower tariffs for Wisconsin agricultural products," Holte said.

Opponents of the agreement say the move would sink the TPP and would violate international trade rules, while also making it harder for central bankers to manage their economies.

In 2013, Wisconsin exported $23.1 billion in goods, helping to support over 123,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.


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