ARCHIVE

Content on this archived webpage is NOT UPDATED, and external links may not function. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Click here to go to the CURRENT USTR.GOV WEBSITE

Breadcrumb

President Obama’s 2016 Trade Policy Agenda: Trade that Serves the American People

March 02, 2016

Trade Agenda highlights the economic benefits of the landmark TPP agreement, including the more than 18,000 tax cuts on Made-in-America exports

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released President Obama’s 2016 Trade Policy Agenda. Throughout this Administration, we have sought to level the playing field for American workers, raise global trade standards, and enforce U.S. trade rights to promote economic growth, strengthen the American middle class, and support well-paying jobs at home.

“The President’s trade agenda is focused on supporting U.S. jobs and raising wages,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. “Over the past seven years, the Administration has fought hard to open the largest and fastest-growing markets to U.S. exports, most notably in the Asia-Pacific. Our efforts have helped position more Americans to compete—and win—in tomorrow’s global economy.”

The 2016 Trade Agenda outlines key priorities in the United States bilateral and multilateral trade and investment relationships, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will cut over 18,000 taxes on Made-in-America exports, support more high-paying U.S. jobs, and promote both our interests and our values. It also highlights our efforts to conclude the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the Environmental Goods Agreement, the Trade in Services Agreement, and work to strengthen our trade and investment ties with countries and regional partners around the world.

Finally, the report provides an overview of major trade accomplishments under President Obama’s leadership, including:

  • Improving and securing passage of the Korea, Colombia, and Panama FTAs;
  • Bringing 20 enforcement cases at the WTO, more than any other country;
  • Working with Congress to update and renew bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority, and extending and improving Trade Adjustment Assistance;
  • Renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to promote developing in Africa and elsewhere;
  • And expanding the Information Technology Agreement, concluding the Trade Facilitation Agreement and rejuvenating the WTO negotiating process.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative is the lead agency responsible for the development and implementation of the President’s Trade Policy Agenda, which it sends in conjunction with the Annual Report on trade developments over the past year.

To read the 2016 Trade Policy Agenda, please click here.