Trade bill back on track

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

In a burst of bipartisanship, the Republican-controlled Senate put President Barack Obama’s trade agenda back on course Thursday, clearing the way for likely approval within days of legislation allowing the administration to negotiate global deals that Congress could support or reject but not change.

The 65-33 vote to resurrect the measure capped two days of political intrigue in which Democrats on both sides of the legislation initially joined forces to block action, then reached agreement with Republicans for votes on other enforcement measures to protect workers who lose jobs as a result of exports.

Obama hailed the vote at a news conference at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Md., saying it would help him strike “a smart, progressive, growth-prompting trade deal” along with needed enforcement tools to protect U.S. workers.

There are battles ahead, though.

The White House registered its objections to a provision in a companion measure that cleared the Senate during the day on a 78-20 vote. It would require the imposition of tariffs on products from countries that artificially set the level of their currency, a practice that makes it harder for U.S. firms to compete and results in the loss of jobs in this country.

The provision would undermine existing efforts to respond to China and other alleged violators and “lead to other countries pursuing retaliatory measures that could hurt our exporters,” the White House said. Obama later indicated he was open to possible compromises.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a prominent sponsor of the proposal, predicted that it eventually might prove essential in persuading enough skeptical House Democrats to swing behind the trade bill itself to assure final passage.