WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States' top trade official on Wednesday said the nation needs fast-track authority so that its trading partners have confidence when they make a concession, adding that the power is not designed to rush agreements through Congress.
"The one thing about so-called 'fast track' is that there is nothing fast about it," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a speech.
Fast-track, or trade promotion authority, allows for several months between the administration giving notice to Congress that it plans to sign a trade deal and approving that deal, he said.
