USTR Kirk Comments on Trans-Pacific Partnership Announcement from President Obama
November 17, 2009In an address to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit on November 13 in Singapore, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk commented on President Barack Obama’s announcement that the United States will engage with the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP).
In his remarks, Kirk stated, “[J]ust this morning in Tokyo, President Obama announced that the United States will engage with the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This will be done in close consultation with the United States Congress and with stakeholders at home. We will seek with current and future TPP nations to shape a platform with the scope, coverage, and standards to successfully integrate the Asia-Pacific economies.”
He continued, “As the Office of the United States Trade Representative approaches this effort, we recognize that American workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers face different challenges today than they have in the past. Therefore, further engagement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership gives us the opportunity to address gaps in our current agreements, and to set the standard for 21st-century trade agreements going forward.”
“A high-standard regional trade agreement under the TPP could help bring home to the American people the jobs and economic prosperity that are the promise of trade,” Kirk said.
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) also publicly welcomed President Obama’s announcement regarding United States’ participation in the TPP negotiations.
“The NFTC applauds the president for his leadership in affirming the United States’ commitment to expanding economic engagement with the Asia-Pacific region,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Broadening economic ties with our trading partners in the region is an essential element of the U.S. trade agenda. Deeper engagement will both help to boost the U.S. economy through increased exports and job creation, and advance trans-Pacific economic integration.”
“The Asia-Pacific region represents the largest export market worldwide, and the United States is the largest or second largest trading partner for every major Asian economy. Joining the TPP negotiations will strengthen and further solidify the United States’ important economic and commercial ties with some of the most dynamic economies in the world,” said NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich. “The TPP is an ambitious effort and has the potential to become the gold standard for high-quality plurilateral trade agreements.”
In a November 4 letter sent to President Obama, USTR Kirk, and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, the NFTC urged the president to use the occasion of his visit to Asia to move forward with negotiations to join the TPP.
Related Story:National Foreign Trade Council Urges President Obama to Pursue Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations
