US Trade Rep. welcomes Canada to TPP trade talks

UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

www.ustr.gov               Washington, D.C. 20508          202-395-3230

For Immediate Release:                                             June 19, 2012                                                                              

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Welcomes Canada

as a New Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiating Partner

Washington, DC – President Obama announced today that the United States and the eight other countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement have extended an invitation to Canada to join the TPP negotiations, pending successful conclusion of domestic procedures.  In addition to the United States, the current TPP countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

“Inviting Canada to join the TPP negotiations presents a unique opportunity for the United States to build upon this already dynamic trading relationship.  Through TPP, we are bringing the relationship with our largest trading partner into the 21st century,” said Ambassador Kirk. “We look forward to continuing consultations with the Congress and domestic stakeholders regarding Canada’s entry into the TPP as we move closer to a broad-based, high-standard trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Next steps will parallel those for Mexico, which was also invited to join the TPP negotiations yesterday.  The Administration will shortly notify Congress of our intent to include Canada in the TPP negotiations.  The notification will trigger a 90-day consultation period with Congress on U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to Canada.  We also will publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comments.

The TPP is a key element of the Obama Administration’s efforts to support the creation and retention of high-quality jobs for Americans by increasing exports to the vibrant economies of the Asia-Pacific region.  The United States and its TPP partners are determined to expeditiously complete a comprehensive, next-generation agreement.

The TPP countries have completed 12 rounds of negotiations and the nine countries have made solid progress.  The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place July 2 – 10 in San Diego, California.

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