Democrats urge end to trade deal investor protections as USTR denies secret talks
By David Lawder
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) – A group of 37 Democratic lawmakers on Thursday urged the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to press ahead with efforts to weaken investment protections in U.S. trade agreements after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce alleged that the Biden administration was pursuing “secret” talks on the matter.
The lawmakers, led by Representatives Lloyd Doggett and Rosa DeLauro and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, have long urged that investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions be eliminated from U.S. trade deals.