First positive signal from US Senate on trade deals

The 65-33 vote to advance the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (fast-track) in the US Senate, on 14 May, saw 13 Democrats join 52 Republicans after it was agreed to vote on other bills at the same time that bolster trade law enforcement, aid for trade-linked job losses and tariff cuts for developing countries. On 12 May, the vote was 52-45, shy of the 60 needed to pass. The bill requires President Barack Obama to publish the text of future…