Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal reached

TSCRA  issued the following statement Monday after trade ministers from the U.S. and 11 other nations reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
“After years of discussion, TSCRA is pleased the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations between the U.S. and Pacific Rim nations have finally concluded,” said TSCRA President Pete Bonds. “It is my hope that the TPP will eliminate trade barriers and allow us to finally expand beef exports across the Pacific Rim.
“This agreement has the opportunity to not only increase demand and growth for beef exports, but also boost the entire U.S. economy by supporting jobs and creating trade opportunities across many other markets in our country. TSCRA looks forward to working with Congress to review the details of this agreement and expand trade market access in the U.S.”
Besides the U.S, the countries included in the TPP agreement are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. These nations encompass nearly 40 percent of the global economy.
To see what others are saying about the deal, click on the links below.
NCBA applauds conclusion of deal | USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack talks success in TPP negotiations
Conaway Statement on TPP agreement
House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, issued the following statement after negotiators in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) reached an agreement in Atlanta Monday morning.
“We have long discussed the potential benefits of TPP for all of American agriculture. That being said, I have repeatedly expressed concerns to our negotiators about the lack of progress in several key areas that, if not adequately addressed, would make passage of this agreement incredibly difficult in the House.
“Last week, I sent a letter along with 16 of my colleagues to USTR Ambassador Froman to express concern about lack of market access for rice and dairy and concern about a new carve-out proposal for tobacco, establishing a dangerous new precedent that could negatively impact agriculture going forward. The letter also expressed concern about market access for sugar, encouraging U.S. negotiators not to go beyond the parameters of what the U.S. had already offered after consultation with the U.S. industry.
“While I am encouraged to hear that U.S. livestock products such as beef and pork will see significant gains in market access, it will take a coalition of many to move TPP over the coming months. At this time, I am skeptical that these concerns were sufficiently addressed but will remain open-minded, and I look forward to studying the agreement,” said Conaway.