CTA, International Trade, followed by traditional DC networking and the National Portrait Gallery

Last week was probably one of the most busy weeks I ever had in my life. I worked 40 hours plus overtime!!! The reason was the immense preparation of one of the biggest events hosted by WITA every year: the Congressional Trade Agenda (CTA).
We had four speakers, two from the House Committee of Ways and Means, and two from the Finance Committee of the Senate. Both committees are trade related committees which was the reason that the four representatives were willing to speak for an audience of 380 listeners.
"The event was OFF the record." This statement was emphasized on the invitation and several times again on the event day. Press was allowed to attend, however, since it was off-the record, journalists was not given permission to take notes, and especially not to write about anything said by the speakers.
The topics discussed were: the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), and the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). To most people this does not say anything. This is exactly how I felt two weeks ago. In short both are free-trade negotiations between the US and with two different geographic regions.
The TPP focuses on Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The pro-TPP incentive would be economic growth and development, as well as the creation of jobs. Funny here is, that the con-TPP argument, according to Public Citizen, is job losses in the U.S. due to off shoring them to low-wage countries. Actually nothing new, and something we have already heard so often. Japan shows its skepticism by not agreeing to tariff cuts of five agricultural products including rice, or meat.
The T-TIP focuses on the European Union. And here again, the pro-arguments is growth and job creation. The tariff cuts would also include to adjust technical regulations, standards and approval procedures of products like cars. Now cars need to undergo approvals from both the EU and the US, but T-TIP would eradicate these barriers. However, opponents within the EU fear that especially according to agricultural trade, the EU would have to ease its non-GMO regulations.
And, lastly there is the reform of the TPA, implemented in 1974 and which expired in 2007. The TPA is also known as Fast Track negotiating authority which is supposed to delegate Congresse's authority to the President in order to negotiate trade agreements, draft trade legislations, and sign agreements into international law. The Fast Track reform would include that Congress or lawmakers would only be able to give an up or down vote without amending or delaying a trade agreement.
Judging especially TPP and T-TIP is difficult, and saying they are only right or wrong is not possible either.
I think both the pro-and-con side have both reasons to be right, but I feel there is not only a this or that way. It will be a lot about making compromises from both sides. We will see what will be decided.....

Making my trade summary longer than I wanted, I will conclude briefly my impression from the event on Friday. After 90 min of presenting the different viewpoints and answering questions from listeners, the crowd gathered at the breakfast buffet for about 30 min in order to improve their professional network. In those 30 min people introduce themselves to other important people hoping to make an impression and to benefit in career terms from it. I need to admit, I played the same game. If you are in this circle, you jump into the boat and row to the same rhythm. This is how it works!

On Saturday I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum. I really enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery because it was basically a picturesque biography of famous personalities from politics or the art world. There is a section about Civil War, choreography, ballet, and the American Presidents. I really liked that some rooms were colored red, green, blue etc. So when you proceeded to next room, your eye would have to get used to the new color again. My three favorite paintings were Pocahontas, reminding me of one of my favorite Disney movies, Benjamin Franklin, and his serious facial expression, and Lincolns whole body picture sitting in a chair, leaning the head on his fist and looking interested and sophisticated about something.