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NFU joins lawmakers against fast-track

The president of the National Farmers Union joined several Democrats in a news conference this morning who oppose Fast Track Trade Authority for the president. Tonight, President Obama is expected to call for that authority in his state of the union address.

NFU President Roger Johnson says agriculture has enjoyed many years of a trade surplus but NFU takes a holistic approach to trade…

“And our members are deeply concerned about the fact that we have built up these enormous trade deficits, really, ever since we began down this road of approving these fast-track deals as a part of trade agreements that then followed.”

Johnson says Congress needs to demand a balancing of trade instead of simply expanding trade.

Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro says she supports President Obama on many issues, telling reporters, “But, on this issue I will oppose the administration because of the devastating impact that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will have on jobs and wages in this country.”

Because the U.S. imports more than it exports, opponents say it is a huge drag on the economy. Johnson says currency manipulation is another negative factor and should be part of the TPP but does not expect it will be.