Congress should focus on rebalancing U.S. trade accounts rather than Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, on the House floor on Dec. 4. Kaptur introduced legislation, Balancing Trade Act, HR-192 (here), in January that targets balancing the trade deficit (see 13103111). The U.S. international trade deficit in goods and services registered at $40.6 billion in October, said the Census Bureau Dec. 3 in a monthly report (see 13120416). “There is simply no reason to bring up a deal under the fast track procedure which will not permit amendment on this floor -- a deal negotiated in secret by yet another presidential administration,” said Kaptur. “Let’s table the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. Let’s table fast track and develop a brand-new trade model that benefits the United States of America and its people again so their incomes can rise.

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) flexible rules of origin and duty-free market access for apparel will fuel growth in U.S. jobs that rely on the global, apparel supply chain, said a dozen Senators in a Dec. 3 letter to President Barack Obama. The administration should press U.S. negotiators to expand the flexibilities beyond the current short supply list, said the Senators, adding that apparel concessions will translate to other areas of TPP market access. “Such flexibilities, which have been included in recent U.S. FTAs, are critical to unlocking market access. These flexibilities for apparel are also essential for growing U.S. yarn and fabric exports,” said the letter. “These measures are also crucial as leverage to ensure an ambitious agreement that provides real market access for U.S., manufacturers, farmers, and services and achieves the desired disciplines in a variety of other key areas.” The administration continues to target the end of 2013 for completion of TPP negotiations (see 13120415). Apparel rules of origin have caused inter-sector conflict over recent months (see 13082011).

Correction: The American Petroleum Institute is reportedly aiming to use the World Trade Organization dispute mechanism to scale back American crude oil export restrictions, said Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass., in a Dec. 3 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (see 13120417).

President Obama on Nov. 27 signed the Drug Quality and Security Act into law. The legislation requires the establishment of a track and trace system for pharmaceuticals, including licensing and reporting requirements for wholesale distributors and third-party logistics (3PL) providers involved in the interstate transport of pharmaceuticals (see 13092710).

Lawmakers should include the Senate provision to federalize completion of the Olmsted lock and dam project in a final Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), said more than 30 agricultural and transportation associations in a Dec. 3 letter. The lawmakers are currently holding conference to resolve differences between the Senate WRDA, S-601, and sister House Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), HR-3080. The House passed HR-3080 (here) Oct. 23 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote, after the Senate passed its version of the bill, S-601 (here), in May (see 13110515).

The U.S. should advance Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations with only certain participant nations that are willing to make strong market access and rules commitments, such as intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in a Dec. 2 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The U.S. should still, however, pursue sealing TPP negotiations this year, said Hatch. The Obama Administration has repeatedly urged conclusion of TPP negotiations by the end of 2013 (see 13112927).

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is devising a strategy to dismantle American crude oil export restrictions through the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute process, said Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., in a Dec. 3 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The U.S. should oppose any attempt to scale back U.S. law that currently prevents crude export, said Markey, citing recent media coverage.

Recent trade-related bills introduced in Congress include:

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Conn., remains committed to including the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, confirmed a Coons spokeswoman Dec. 2. The amendment is co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. It aims to mandate that the administration, through the Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council, devise and update a national manufacturing strategic plan.

The Senate Armed Services Committee should reject a National Defense Authorization Act amendment that would require the Defense Department to source garments solely from a European-led manufacturing consortium formed to address labor conditions in Bangladesh, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., in a Dec. 2 letter (here). The amendment requires DoD to source garments only from companies that have signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, said Corker. Swedish retailer H&M spearheaded the creation of the accord and the deadline passed for company endorsement in May.