Partner Briefing 

# The U.S. Trade Agenda through 2016: From TPA to TPP, TTIP, and Beyond 

Date and Time 

July 21, 2015 12 - 12:30 PM EDT 

Location 

Live Online 

##### Featuring 

[![Daniel J. Ikenson](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/Dan%20Ikenson.jpg?itok=mP30bIXr)](/people/daniel-j-ikenson) 

[Daniel J. Ikenson](/people/daniel-j-ikenson)

Former Director, Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies

[![Square face shot of Caleb O. Brown.](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/cbrown_sq.jpg?itok=zSWLm8kR)](/people/caleb-o-brown) 

[Caleb O. Brown](/people/caleb-o-brown)

Former Director of Multimedia, Host and Executive Producer, *Cato Daily Podcast*, Cato Institute

After a long fight on Capitol Hill that featured hyperbole, demagoguery, and strange political alliances, President Obama signed the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) into law on June 29, giving him fast-track trade authority and paving the way to finish negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The end game may now be in sight for the TPP, which would reduce tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods and services between 12 countries on four continents. Whether TPP will be completed and successfully implemented remains uncertain, but the recent passage of the TPA ensures the process will unfold in the midst of primary election season and that trade policy will be a key 2016 campaign issue.

What is the likelihood of TPP’s passage during the final 18 months of the Obama presidency? How will TPP expand our economic liberties? What are its downsides? And what is the status of the transatlantic trade negotiations? Dan Ikenson, director of the Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, will join us to comment, take your questions, and discuss his efforts to promote free trade.

**Suggested Readings:**

- “[Putting the TPP in Perspective](https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/putting-tpp-perspective),” by Simon Lester
- “[Should Free Traders Support Free Trade Agreements?](https://www.cato.org/blog/should-free-traders-support-free-trade-agreements),” by Daniel J. Ikenson
- “[Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership: What Lies Ahead?](https://www.cato.org/publications/free-trade-bulletin/trade-promotion-authority-trans-pacific-partnership-what-lies-ahead),” by Daniel J. Ikenson
- “[Time for Hillary to Speak Up on Trade](https://www.cato.org/blog/time-hillary-man-trade),” by Daniel J. Ikenson
- “[The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: A Roadmap for Success](https://www.cato.org/publications/free-trade-bulletin/transatlantic-trade-investment-partnership-roadmap-success),” by Daniel J. Ikenson

This special online-only series is an opportunity to hear from Cato’s policy staff. Our thanks for your continued support of the Cato Institute. We hope you’ll join in on the discussion.

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