WASHINGTON—Some 230 members of Congress have signed a letter to President Obama urging him to address currency manipulation in the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), John Dingell (D-Mich.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Michael Michaud (D-Maine) organized the effort to get the letter written, signed and sent to the White House, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul.
"Currency manipulation has contributed to the U.S. trade deficit and cost us American jobs," the June 6 letter said. "Incorporating currency provisions in the agreement will strengthen our ability to combat these unfair trade practices and help to create a level playing field for American workers, businesses and farmers."
Paul praised the signers of the letter for their bipartisan effort. "These members have sent a clear message to President Obama that trading partners like Japan must open their markets and stop manipulating their currency if they want to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership," he said.
Earlier this week, the AAM sent Obama a letter urging him to get tough with Chinese President Xi Jinping on predatory Chinese trade practices.