Lawmakers Say Trump Exploring Rejoining Pacific Trade Talks

[edpc]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to explore the possibility of the United States rejoining negotiations on the Pacific Rim agreement after he pulled out last year as part of his "America first" agenda.

Farm-state lawmakers said Thursday after a White House meeting with Trump that he had given that assignment to his trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, and his new chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow. The Trans-Pacific Partnership would open more overseas markets for American farmers.

"I'm sure there are lots of particulars that they'd want to negotiate, but the president multiple times reaffirmed in general to all of us and looked right at Larry Kudlow and said, 'Larry, go get it done,'" said Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/business-execs-voice-worries-impact-151918259.html

[edpc]

During the exchange, Trump suggested the possibility of directing the Environmental Protection Agency to allow year-round sales of renewable fuel with blends of 15 percent ethanol.

The EPA currently bans the 15-percent blend, called E15, during the summer because of concerns that it contributes to smog on hot days. Gasoline typically contains 10 percent ethanol. Farm state lawmakers have pushed for greater sales of the higher ethanol blend to boost demand for the corn-based fuel.



Terrible idea.

[corbe]

   Did Fox & Friends do a report on this this morning?

[libertybele]

...hmmm... meanwhile China has been in negotiations with Asia-Pacific countries and Trump just imposed tarrifs on China ... the chess game continues.   

[Right_in_Virginia]

If we rejoin, it will be on our terms.

That's always been the plan.

[libertybele]

If we rejoin, it will be on our terms.

That's always been the plan.

The TPP was never ratified because the U.S. didn't sign on and the remaining countries formed a different partnership; The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

If you think that the U.S. is going to waltz in now and make demands, you're dreaming.

[corbe]

   We've seen this before in Trump, Ryan passes 'Repeal and Replace', Trump calls it a 'Beautiful Picture' holds a (premature) party in the Rose Garden, 3 days later in McConnell's Senate he calls the same damn bill 'Mean, Mean, Mean', no wonder Ryan's checking out.

[DB]

If we rejoin, it will be on our terms.

That's always been the plan.

Kind of like Obamacare right?

Now that it has Trump stamp on it it is a-okay...