Presidential candidates sound off on Trans-Pacific Partnership
Amendments to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, sealed on Monday, marked arguably the most significant trade deal in over 25 years for 12 countries involved, including the United States.
The deal, which removes tariffs on most goods traded between the countries, includes a combined population of about 800 million people and accounts for 40 percent of world trade.
But leading presidential candidates offered mixed opinions on the deal. Here’s a look at what some of the United States’ leading poll-getters from both parties had to say:
Hillary Clinton (D), New York
The Democratic front-runner did not make a statement on Monday, but said in June she was opposed to granting President Obama “fast-track” authority to negotiate the deal in a way that Congress cannot block or amend.
"At this point, probably not because it’s a process vote and I don’t want to say it’s the same as TPP," Clinton told Ralston Reports.
Though Clinton was in favor of TPP during her tenure as Obama’s secretary of state from 2009-2013, she has since distanced herself from the deal itself by avoiding comment.
Donald Trump (R), New York
Trump offered no reservations in bashing the deal. The Republican front-runner from New York called the deal “terrible” and slammed the Obama administration on Twitter.
“The incompetence of our current administration is beyond comprehension. TPP is a terrible deal,” Trump tweeted on Monday.
Bernie Sanders (D), Vermont
On the other side of the political spectrum, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders also ripped the partnership.
“Wall Street and other big corporations have won again," the U.S. senator said in a statement.
Sanders also called the deal a “global race to the bottom.”
“The TPP is a treaty that has been written behind closed doors by the corporate world,” he said.
Ben Carson (R), Maryland
Carson has said he supports the deal, but, like Clinton, doesn’t support fast-track authority for the president.
"I think free trade is a wonderful thing, but I think it needs to be done the right way,” the retired nuerosurgeon told the Huffington Post in June. “We are a republic, and that means that the people are in charge through their representatives, and the president is only one person.”
Martin O’Malley (D), Maryland
The governor of Maryland from 2007-2015 is solidly opposed to the trade deal, if his comments from May hold true.
"We should not be engaging in a race to the bottom with bad trade deals like TPP that could kill jobs. Period," he said, according to Bloomberg.
Jeb Bush (R), Florida
The former Florida governor said in April he was in favor of the TPP in a medium.com op-ed.
“This is a great deal for America,” Bush wrote. “It would strengthen our ties to our allies throughout the Pacific region, including our close allies and partners in Australia, Mexico and Japan. We could use more friends, frankly.”
Jim Webb (D), Virginia
The former U.S. Senator hasn’t offered much opinion on the deal itself, but like Carson, opposed giving Obama “fast-track” authority.
“Show everyone the TPP Agreement before such a vote, Webb tweeted in May. “There is no rush on passage. Americans deserve transparency.”
Mike Huckabee (R), Arkansas
The former Arkansas governor compared the deal to Obamacare, telling Breitbart on Monday that Obama couldn’t be trusted to put together a good deal for American workers.
“Once again, American workers are getting punched in the gut by Washington because this deal is a handout to insiders, interest groups, Obama’s allies and Asia,” Huckabee told the conservative news site.
Comments from Republican candidate Carly Fiorina were not immediately available on Monday. Some leading political news sites suggested Fiorina has not yet taken a public stance on the deal.
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4593. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj
