Ben Cardin

Congress should encourage the U.S. Trade Representative to suspend GSP and other trade preferences for any country that does not effectively address forced labor.

We believe strongly that labor standards in the TPP and other trade agreements should include the same enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms as other provisions.

I think they are beginning to move--a little bit slowly, but moving.

The fact that we have not seen the type of progress in Malaysia is of great concern to me.

I believe we can elevate that through a strong labor provision within the TPP, but it has got to be enforceable.

We have taken strong leadership with our military to make it clear that they cannot at all participate in those types of activities.

Corruption is a huge issue. In some cases, it is arguably the biggest issue in the eyes of the people.

The TPP needs to have enforceable labor commitments, because we have not been able to make the progress by just putting a spotlight through the TIP Report.

Many of us support a very high standard--ILO standards in regards to labor in TPP.

What does that mean, as far as they are ready for TPP? Are they ready for TPP, if they cannot deal with their trafficking issues?

It is disturbing to see, in the jurisdiction of this subcommittee, East Asia and the Pacific, that, with all the priorities being given, we have not made the type of advancements that I think is expected.

We absolutely believe that the TIP evaluations are honest reporting and honest grading.

Only two countries were upgraded.

We expect greater progress.

Well, let me thank both of you, not just for your testimony, but for your commitment in this area.

I am proud of the role that the U.S. Helsinki Commission has played.

Slavery still exists. It exists around the world today, and it is something that we cannot allow to continue.

Trafficking is the modern-day slavery. We understand that.

The fishing industry is notorious for laboring.

Senator Whitehouse is exactly right. We were together in the hearing in the Environment and Public Works Committee, where we had many previous administrators from the Environmental Protection Agency. There were those who served under…

It is our understanding that Democrats control the next 32 minutes. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Democrats control the next 30 minutes. ____________________

We first need to start with the enforcement of our trade laws. It starts with our existing trade remedies that we have.

That was a tragic loss for our country and certainly for our community.

Our goal is to improve that relationship and to make the progress that is important for U.S. interests.

I have found students to be very refreshing in that regard.