Statement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on the Introduction of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker commended the introduction of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), providing President Obama with an essential tool for the completion and implementation of new trade partnerships.

“I applaud Congress for introducing the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, and fulfilling its constitutional role in international trade by providing guidance to our negotiators as they pursue 21st century trade agreements. I look forward to bipartisan passage of this critical and important legislation.

During my tenure as Commerce Secretary I have traveled to 31 countries and met with heads of state, economic ministers, as well as 1,600 U.S. and international business leaders. Repeatedly I have heard that American businesses want to sell more products internationally and that the global middle class wants more access to U.S. products and services. Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers live outside of our borders; passage of this bill will help American businesses grow their exports, increase the demand for U.S. goods and services, and expand our economic recovery. In today’s global economy, America’s prosperity is directly tied to our ability to reach new markets and new customers. Currently, U.S. exports support 11.7 million jobs that pay 13 to 18 percent more on average – that’s enough jobs to employ the populations of New York City and Chicago combined.

The world is not standing still. Passage of this trade framework will allow us to negotiate modern trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific and with Europe that will open up new markets, ensure fairness for our businesses and workers, and put more American workers in high paying jobs.”

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