Warren won’t support Obama’s trade nominee

Warren told The Hill last week that she wanted a promise from Froman that upon his confirmation to become the next U.S. Trade Representative that he would release a current version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) so the public can provide input into the talks. 

{mosads}She said she also asked the Obama administration for a bracketed or “scrubbed text” of the agreement, but was also denied.

If members of the public do not have reasonable access to the terms of the agreements under negotiation, then they are unable to offer real input into the process,” Warren said.

Warren acknowledged concerns from U.S. trade officials that releasing the basic language would create a backlash. 

But she countered with the argument that any trade deal that would create such opposition should not be pursued. 

“This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States,” she wrote in a letter last week. 

Warren’s letter to Froman also asks him to provide information on the level detail on negotiations made available to advisory committees. She said his answer was “no” to all questions.

“Mr. Froman’s response to my three questions were clear: No, no and no,” Warren said.

House and Senate lawmakers have raised concerns about the lack of transparency about details of the trade agreement. But trade officials have said that it would be premature to release any details, especially when they remain in flux. 

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved Froman’s nomination last week. A floor vote is expected sometime after 5 p.m. Wednesday.