Anticipating a shift in political fortunes favorable to their party in the 112th Congress, Rep. Dave Camp (R., Michigan), the likely chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Kevin Brady (R., Texas), the anticipated head of the HouseWays and Means Trade Subcommittee, in the run-up to the November 2 elections bothvoiced strong support for initiatives aimed at deepening U.S.-Asia trade and economicengagement.

Specifically, they called for a re-vigorated trade agenda featuring (1) timely approvalof the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), (2) conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) by the November 2011 meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, (3) renewal of presidential fast-tracknegotiating authority, and (3) continued active US participation in APEC. Neitherlawmaker favored further action either in the lame-duck session or during the 112th Congress on a bill passed by the House on September 29 aimed at forcing China toreform its currency policy.

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