Business Roundtable President John Engler briefed reporters today on BRT's trade priorities for the next two years, including: conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations; work on a U.S.-EU agreement on trade, investment and regulatory coordination; and reviving Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), so the executive branch can bring a completed trade agreement to an up-and-down vote in Congress. A few excerpts from Engler's remarks focusing on TPA:

Trade Promotion Authority lapsed back in June 2007, and we think it’s a critical tool for the executive branch to effectively negotiate agreements and get them passed by Congress. Along with the TPP, the pending U.S.-EU talks, we’re going to make updated Trade Promotion Authority a key part of our advocacy this year.  

Responding to a question about strategy, i.e., whether Trade Promotion Authority should be tied to specific trade measures, Engler said.

I think it would be important for the legislative branch to make it clear that our chief executive has the authority to negotiate a deal, and when negotiated, it’s going to get an up or down vote within a particular time period.

I’m afraid that when it gets closer and gets specific, then it’s easier to have a second-guessing opportunity for Congress.

Given the strong pro-trade majority that exists in Congress, he said, Trade Promotion Authority offers an opportunity for the much-sought bipartisan legislation, even as strong presidential leadership is needed.

If you are trying to change tone in town, you ought to pick on things where there is bipartisan support. This is one. I think working bipartisanly on some issues begets more bipartisan work on other issues. And I guess this one is so in the national interest, the case against it is pretty weak. And who is going to make that case?

And how might the administration win passage of TPA?

One, they could name the new USTR head, and that person, as part of the confirmation hearing could then be testifying as to the important need to have that, and saying that would be one of their priorities as the head of the USTR: "That the president has said, 'Help me get this renewed.'

Indeed, Engler used his opening remarks to call on the President to nominate a U.S. Trade Representative as soon as possible, get that person confirmed, and get working.

Reporters were also interested in the possibility of Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, a timely topic given the visit of Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to Washington on Friday.

Audio of the trade briefing -- about an hour -- is available here.