On the recordJune 12, 2015
I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, after 1945, the U.S. set up a global trading system, and countries around the world are taking advantage of it. The world is not sitting still. Hundreds of trade agreements exist, but we only have 20 with which we have a trade surplus, and we are sitting on the sidelines, standing still. It is just unacceptable. American leadership is needed. If we are going to grow this economy, if we are going to create good-paying jobs for workers and farmers, we need to open markets, as 95 percent of the markets are outside the U.S. Let's open those markets. Let's be fair to our American workers and farmers. Let's give them market access. TPA is the catalyst to opening those markets and for growth. The world is crying for American leadership. I am afraid American prestige is on the line right now. It is waning. Countries around the world are watching us to see how we vote on this today. We have the opportunity to show that America will lead the global trading system we created. I think, if we don't do this, we have dealt a serious blow to American leadership. It is a catalyst for American leadership. Let's pass TPA.
