May 19, 2016

Congresswoman Lee Slams Unemployment & Increased Trade Deficit that the TPP Will Create

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the U.S. International Trade Commission’s report concerning the likely impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):

“For years, the TPP has been sold to the American people as a job creator and plan to expand U.S. exports. This new report from the U.S. International Trade Commission shows the exact opposite.

By 2032, the report predicts a $21.7 billion increase in the U.S.’s global trade deficit, including a $24 billion increase in the manufacturing, natural resources and energy sectors.

Sixteen of seventeen manufacturing sectors examined are predicted to experience an increased trade deficit. Even worse, nearly 60 percent of studied sectors would see a decrease in American jobs.

This report shows, once again, that the TPP will ship American jobs overseas and increase our already massive trade deficit.”

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Democrat Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.