Schwab: Trade Talks Underway With DemsSchwab says quiet talks on trade under way to bridge labor,
environmental gaps with DemocratsWASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2007
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
(AP) President Bush's top trade negotiator said Monday that quiet talks are under
way with congressional Democrats seeking to bridge differences on labor and
environmental standards in trade deals.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said she was "hopeful and confident that
Congress will quickly answer" the call Bush made last week for a renewal of trade
promotion authority, which is set to expire on July 1.
-snip-Schwab, who spoke to a coalition of business and farm groups lobbying for renewal
of fast-track authority, said that the administration was having a "quiet
conversation with Democrats on the Hill on labor and the environment. These talks
are ongoing and I am hoping we will be able to bridge the gap."
-snip-Schwab said she had been encouraged by the comments made by Democratic leaders
in public and in her private conversations with them.
-snip- Full article:
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