CPA Statement of Policy 

Position:  CPA supports Congress retaining its full authority to review, amend, approve or reject all trade agreements.  CPA opposes re-authorizing Fast Track Authority also know as Trade Promotion Authority.  CPA supports treating trade agreements as treaties.

Underlying CPA Principle: Constitutional Trade Agreement Power - CPA supports Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution which empowers the Legislative Branch with full authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations. We oppose any transfer of that authority to the Executive Branch.

Background: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution says, “The Congress shall have power… to regulate commerce with foreign nations.” “Fast Track” delegates to the President the authority to set the terms of U.S. trade policy independent of Congressional oversight. 

Fast Track creates special rules for Congress’ consideration of trade agreements.  The President negotiates and locks down the terms of the deal and writes the implementing legislation.  The President can pick what countries we're negotiating with, set the substance, and sign the agreement all without Congress ever voting. Congress has 90 days to vote yes or no.  No amendments are allowed.  States have no say at all.

In recent years, the U.S. Trade Representative has used Fast Track to push controversial agreements through Congress including the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and trade agreements with countries such as Chile, Singapore, Morocco, Australia, Bahrain and Oman. 

Rationale:  CPA believes the U.S. Constitution provides the proper allocation of power between the Executive and Legislative branches regarding trade.   The results of Fast Track Authority have been secret negotiations, polarized positions, and quashing debate about U.S. trade policy.  Since Fast Track, the U.S. trade deficit has exploded.  Virtually all industries have negative trade balances.  Millions of workers have lost their jobs.  Tens of thousands of factories of closed.  The U.S. agricultural trade surplus is now gone for the first time.  Currency manipulation continues, while border adjustable taxes prohibit true free trade. 

A full, sensible and nuanced debate on U.S. trade policy must be had in the public eye.  Re-establishing Congressional authority over trade policy and all its subsets is the best manner to achieve this goal.