Senior congressional Democrats have backed a proposed US bilateral trade agreement with Peru, saying it contains groundbreaking protection for workers’ rights and the environment. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House of Representatives ways and means committee, which regulates foreign trade, has asked fellow Democrats to support the bill.

“We are trying to make it as clear as possible to those not blinded by prejudice that a trade policy that includes labour protection and environmental protection will be a part of every trade agreement,” he told the FT.