President Obama listens to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speak during a news conference at the White House on April 17, 2015. The two leaders spoke on a range of issues, including Ukraine, Libya and Islamic State militants.(Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — Trade agreements under negotiation now will be different from past trade pacts, President Obama said Friday during a news conference with Italy's prime minister.
"The politics around trade has always been tough, particularly in the Democratic Party, because people have memories of outsourcing and job loss," Obama said. He promised that trade pacts would have strong labor and environmental protections and would help working families.
"I didn't get elected because of the sponsorship of the Business Roundtable and the Chamber of Commerce. They're not the ones who brought me to the dance," he said.
Obama's remarks come as Congress puts the finishing touches on trade promotion authority bill that would streamline congressional approval for trade deals. That legislation, Obama noted, is different from the terms of the deals themselves — and specifically, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"Being opposed to this new trade agreement is essentially a ratification of the
status quo, where they're selling here but we're not selling there," Obama said, noting there are far more Japanese cars in Washington than Chrysler, Ford or Chevrolet cars in Tokyo.
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Obama answered questions about trade and other subjects in a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, though the comments on trade were so long that Obama apologized to his guest.
In morning meetings at the White House on Friday, the two leaders also talked about the fight against the Islamic State, Iran and Libya. Over lunch, the two planned to address the challenges of the global economy, as well as climate change.
The two leaders appeared to get along well, frequently smiling and gesturing toward each other.
Renzi, speaking through an interpreter, praised Obama for his leadership on Iran and other issues. He described the United States as "a model for the European economy," especially when it comes to growth.
The prime minister also said Italians have not forgotten U.S. sacrifices in helping liberate their country from the Nazis during World War II.
Obama said this was Renzi's second visit to the White House, noting that "Matteo" did visit when he was the "young, dynamic mayor of Florence."
Both leaders also talked about Italian food. "I consider myself an honorary Italian because I love all things Italian," Obama said.
"I brought a few bottle of wine for Barack because I know he is a great expert," Renzi said.
"I felt it would be insulting for me not to sample it and to establish the strong commercial bonds between the United States and Italy," Obama said. He told Renzi he would give him a full report about whether the wine "meets the quality we expect."
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