The full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—a trade agreement involving 12 countries along the Pacific Rim that account for up to 42 percent of all US agricultural exports—is now available to the public after the Obama administration posted it online Thursday.
The full agreement can be accessed here.
“The release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an important step forward in the process to make this landmark agreement for US agriculture a reality,” says Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary. “The text confirms that this agreement provides new market access across the board for America's farmers and ranchers by lowering tariffs and eliminating other barriers, and will boost exports and support jobs in our rural economies. At the end of the day, TPP is about opportunity. The agreement will advance US economic interests in a critical region that accounts for nearly 40 percent of global GDP. It will also help the United States respond to the regional and bilateral trade agreements that are already in place or are being negotiated by competitor countries."
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) expressed strong support for the TPP and urged Congress to quickly pass the agreement.
“This agreement holds enormous potential for US agriculture and levels the playing field for American workers and businesses in the world's fastest growing economic region,” says Barry Carpenter, NAMI president and CEO. “In addition, TPP will strengthen our strategic relationships with trading partners in the critical Asia-Pacific region.”
Countries included in the TPP deal include the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
