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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 6/12/13
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today sent a letter to US Trade Representative nominee Michael Froman to outline her concerns with three issues she identified as top priorities for North Carolina’s economy in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Hagan met with Mr. Froman in her office last week to advocate for the fair treatment of North Carolina’s textile manufacturers, tobacco growers, and bioscience companies in the negotiations.
“I am keenly aware of the potential economic impact that theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement may have on my home state,” Hagan wrote in the letter to Mr. Froman. “As your nomination is considered by the Senate, I urge you to keep in mind the economic impact of these priorities for jobs in North Carolina and the United States.”
Protecting Textile Manufacturers
Hagan supports a strong “yarn-forward rule” to ensure that North Carolina yarn can compete fairly in the TPP region. The rule would ensure that the US textile industry would not lose any export opportunities offered by the TPP.
“Because the textile industry is so important to North Carolina’s economy, I am extremely concerned that a rule of origin that allows TPP partners, especially Vietnam, to source their yarn from China and other non-TPP countries will undermine the effectiveness of the agreement and good-payingtextile jobs in my state,” Hagan wrote.
Equal Treatment for Tobacco Farmers
Hagan opposes a “safe harbor” proposal that would allow TPP countries to impose arbitrary or discriminatory regulations on tobacco. Two out of every three rows of tobacco grown in North Carolina are exported.
“The Administration’s proposal to treat tobacco differently from other agricultural products in the TPP threatens to put this key US export at risk,” Hagan wrote.
Continue to Encourage Investment in Key Drugs
Hagan helped to lead passage of robust intellectual property rights that includes 12 years of data protection for bioscience companies, which support 116,000 jobs in North Carolina alone. She is urging Mr. Froman to secure these rights in TPP negotiations.
“The data exclusivity period that Congress passed is a necessary economic incentive for firms to invest the time and resources – which can be as long as a decade and over a billion dollars – in new therapies that have the potential to treat and cure disease around the world,” Hagan wrote.
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