EVERETT — An Obama administration official plans to speak with Snohomish County business and community leaders on Wednesday about trade promotion authority, which streamlines how trade deals are negotiated.
U.S. Department of Commerce assistant secretary Jay Williams also plans to talk about the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
He’ll be joined by Christopher Wenk, executive director, international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Eric Schinfeld, president of the Washington Council on International Trade.
The talk is planned from 2 to 3:30 pm. Wednesday at the Port of Everett, 1205 Craftsman Way, Second Floor, Everett. The event is open to the public, but people need to register. RSVP by e-mailing Chris Eyler at ceyler@uschamber.com or calling 206-735-3050.
The trade promotion authority also known as fast track, allows the president to negotiate a trade deal with a foreign country. While Congress has to approve the deal, lawmakers can only vote up or down on the agreement and can’t make any amendments.
Fast track is controversial, because, even though it’s being pushed by a Democratic president, unions feel that it is bad for wages and jobs in America.
The event is sponsored by Economic Alliance Snohomish County, the Port of Everett, the Washington Council on International Trade and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
