Toomey Tries to Draw Attention to Taiwan FTA Push

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., who said last month he'd be asking for negotiations to begin with Taiwan for a free trade agreement (see 2011190060), is trying to draw attention to the argument. “American workers and manufacturers would have more customers, American consumers would have access to more affordable goods, both economies would grow faster, and America would strengthen its relationship with a key regional ally and increase our economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region” with an FTA with Taiwan, Toomey said in a press release on Dec. 23. Taiwan is the 11th largest trading partner for the U.S., and the bilateral trade supported about 208,000 jobs in the U.S., according to a Commerce Department estimate for 2015, the most recent available. The resolution has 25 Republican co-sponsors.