Sanchez Meets with US Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Discuss Concerns Regarding Trans-Pacific Partnership with Vietnam

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, today met with United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk – whose agency is tasked with all trade negotiations - to discuss the possible impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the United States is negotiating with Vietnam.  Rep. Sanchez does not support a trade agreement until Vietnam makes significant and tangible steps to improve its human rights record.

“The United States has previously taken the position that once we open economic opportunities for countries like Vietnam, these countries will take steps to improve their human rights record,” said Sanchez.  “Today, I asked Ambassador Kirk to work to ensure these human rights changes are made before entering into an economic partnership with Vietnam.

“In 2006, Vietnam was granted Permanent Normal Trade Relations status, and in 2007 Vietnam was added to the World Trade Organization and permitted to become a member of the United Nations Security Council.  In the years following, the Vietnamese human rights record severely deteriorated.  As various human rights organizations and the US Committee on International Religious Freedom have consistently stated, Vietnam has not lived up to its promise to provide an equal and democratic society to its people.  We can see Vietnam's escalation of crackdowns that target the voices of conscience, and the most recent victim being Tri Minh Vo, also known as songwriter Viet Khang.  He is being detained for expressing his patriotism through songs that he composed and performed.  

“I expressed these concerns to Ambassador Kirk, and told him the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an opportunity for the United States to pressure Vietnam to change its human rights record,” Sanchez continued.  “In the past, increased exposure to international markets and trading has not pushed Vietnam to change its behavior in regards to human rights.  In fact, it has only increased the repression of the Vietnamese people. 

“The Ambassador assured me the Administration will stress that improving human rights in Vietnam is vital to developing a more cooperative trade relationship with Vietnam. We pledged to continue a dialogue on this issue and I look forward to working with him to use this opportunity to strengthen human rights protections for the people of Vietnam.”