Gov. Bev Perdue will be in Washington this weekend to attend the 2012 National Governors Association Winter Meeting.
The governor will take part in several association meetings during the three-day trip as well as meet with the President and senior members of his administration. At least one consumer advocacy group has raised questions about the trip, particularly her expected attendance at the annual Governors and Ambassadors World Trade Reception.
The reception comes amidst negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a trade agreement with eight Pacific Rim countries.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and ambassadors from all the trading partners are expected to attend. Corporate sponsors include Microsoft, Pfizer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Philip Morris International, among others.
Gov. Perdue has expressed concern to President Obama that tobacco could be written out of the trade agreement potentially harming N.C. tobacco growers.
Her staff confirmed the Governor was invited along with several other ambassadors and “may” attend. Promotional materials released by the Washington International Trade Association organizing the event say she is expected at the event. Last year, Gov. Perdue was a featured speaker.
At least one consumer advocacy group is criticizing Perdue for attending the up-to-$1,500 a plate dinner.
The Washington-based Public Citizen group charges that the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement would hurt local jobs by establishing an uneven playing field and preferential rules for foreign companies operating in the United States, as well as incentives for American companies to outsource.
During her visit, the governor is also expected to meet with President Obama and other senior White House officials Friday. She will attend several NGA sessions on Saturday before attending an evening gathering hosted by the Southern Governors’ Association.
On Sunday, she will attend another SGA meeting and later join the President and First Lady at another White House event that evening.
