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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... PORTLAND Obama's trade trip to Oregon highlights D.C. divisions Oregon delegation at odds over granting fast-track authority Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted May. 6, 2015 at 7:47 PM Updated May 6, 2015 at 7:48 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted May. 6, 2015 at 7:47 PM Updated May 6, 2015 at 7:48 PM » Social News SALEM — President Barack Obama's trip to Oregon today and Friday will highlight trade, an issue that has divided the Democrats in Oregon's congressional delegation. The president arrives this afternoon at Portland International Airport and is scheduled to hold a fundraiser that night in Portland for the Democratic National Committee. The next day, he'll promote free trade at Nike headquarters outside Beaverton. Obama wants Congress to approve so-called fast-track trade authority, giving him leeway to negotiate an Asia-Pacific trade deal that would be subject only to an up-or-down vote, without amendments, on Capitol Hill. It's seen as essential to signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the Obama administration is now negotiating. Many labor unions and other liberal groups have come out forcefully against fast-track authority, and critics are planning to protest outside Obama's events today and Friday. The issue has also divided Oregon Democrats in Congress. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio are opposed, saying trade agreements create incentives to export jobs to countries with lower wages and less stringent labor and environmental requirements. "We always welcome the president to Oregon, but it's unfortunate in this case that he's coming to promote policies that will be at the detriment to the vast majority of people in Oregon," DeFazio told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. On the other side, Sen. Ron Wyden is a key negotiator on the fast-track legislation, which is also backed by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader. Wyden has said he negotiated trade authority with more time for public review and stronger enforcement standards. "Opening foreign markets, where most of the world's consumers reside, is critical to creating new opportunities for middle-class American jobs in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said in a statement last month. Obama's stop in Washington County highlights Oregon's employment engine, where multinational corporations including Nike and Intel employ tens of thousands of people. Obama was last in Oregon on July 25, 2012, when he held a private fundraiser at the Oregon Convention Center. A year earlier, he made a stop in Hillsboro to tour an Intel plant and promote science, technology, engineering and math education. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted May. 6, 2015 at 7:47 PM Updated May 6, 2015 at 7:48 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501