WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The 12 nation Trans-Pacific Trade (TPP) agreement will not undermine the sovereignty of the United States, US Secretary of State John Kerry stated on Tuesday in response to criticism of the trade pact at Boeing in the US state of Washington.
“The agreement will not take away any sovereign rights of our nation, of any nation, it is not going to allow anyone to change our laws other than the US Congress,” Kerry said.
Opponents of the trade pact argue it could undermine US sovereignty, including environmental regulations.
On Thursday, the US Senate passed a measure that would allow debate on granting the administration of US President Barack Obama trade promotion authority.
The fast track trade bill would give Obama authority to conclude negotiations on the TPP agreement with major Asia-Pacific countries without Congress being able to amend the agreement.