ASA and the Trade Benefits America (TBA) Coalition sent a letter this week urging passage of the bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation this year.

The letter, addressed to Speaker of the House John Boehner, Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell, stated action on TPA is needed to help ensure high-standard outcomes in the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which the United States and 11 other Asia-Pacific countries are striving to complete.

“By passing TPA, Congress will also help ensure strong outcomes in the other ongoing talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), and an agreement to eliminate tariffs on environmental goods,” the letter states. “These initiatives hold tremendous potential to: help U.S. companies of all sizes, farmers and workers buy and sell goods and services in the global marketplace; set strong, enforceable trade rules and support U.S. growth and jobs.”

The groups said it is vital for the United States to implement high-standard trade agreements as soon as possible to help expand U.S. commerce with other countries. The letter pointed to other countries that are completing trade agreements and opening markets to the advantage of their companies, farmers and workers.

“History has shown that TPA is a critical tool for helping complete ambitious U.S. trade agreements and getting them passed by Congress,” the letter states.

Click here to read the entire letter.