Trade expert can discuss Senate approval of trade promotion authority


LAWRENCE — Raj Bhala, associate dean for international and comparative law and Rice Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, is available to speak with media about the Senate’s vote to allow President Barack Obama fast-track authority on the Trans Pacific Partnership. The Senate voted 60-38 in favor of Trade Promotion Authority. That authority grants Obama the power to negotiate trade deals and send them quickly through Congress.

With Trade Promotion Authority, Obama would be much more likely to negotiate the Trans Pacific Partnership, which Bhala said would be the “signature achievement of his second term.”

“The TPP would create the largest free-trade bloc in the world. It would cover 12 countries, accounting for over 40 percent of the entire world's gross domestic product,” Bhala said. “Thus, TPP is a far bigger deal than even NAFTA. TPP would be the economic and political manifestation of the new American military ‘pivot’ to Asia, which is designed in part to ‘contain’ China and ensure that the rise of China is, indeed, a peaceful one as China claims.”

An international trade law expert, Bhala can also comment on the necessity of Trade Promotion Authority, the TPP’s effects on the middle class and related topics.

“After 20 years of experience with NAFTA, many Americans — especially those in the middle class, and those involved in manufacturing — are understandably skeptical about the benefits of free trade,” Bhala said. "They appreciate that TPP might help some, especially multinational corporations, service sectors and intellectual property rights owners. But, they fear wage declines and job losses. At the same time, the market access opportunities for Kansas exports are considerable.”

Bhala has lectured around the world and published a leading textbook, International Trade Law; an acclaimed two-volume treatise, “Modern GATT Law,” and more than three dozen articles. His most recent book, “Understanding Islamic Law (Shari’a),” is used not only in courses in Kansas but also by U.S. Special Operations Forces. Bhala practiced international banking law at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before entering academia and currently serves as an international legal consultant to Al Ammari Law Firm in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in association with one of Canada’s pre-eminent law firms, Blake, Cassels & Graydon. He also has been a legal consultant to Cheniere Energy and other prominent organizations. He has worked in more than 25 countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Turkey and throughout India.

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.

Thu, 06/25/2015

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Mike Krings

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