(WASHINGTON) – The following is the official statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to the issuance of a House-Senate conference report on a customs reauthorization bill that does little to address the many shortfalls contained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a deal which would lead to tens of thousands of U.S. jobs being shipped overseas and lower wages for many Americans.

“If leaders in Congress were trying to come up with a way to make trade fair for American workers and those around the globe, they failed miserably with the changes made to this customs reauthorization legislation. The measure preserves a waiver to allow the use of fast track to pass trade deals with countries engaged in human trafficking and it still doesn’t address currency manipulation.

“Americans’ fears over how the TPP will tamp down on wages, allow unfair working conditions worldwide and create even larger trade deficits due to a lack of currency manipulation controls are very real and justified. That’s why there continues to be only one right answer for lawmakers when it comes to this Pacific Rim trade agreement. It starts with a no vote on this bill tomorrow.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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