House Lawmakers Establish TPP Caucus
A group of House lawmakers will support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) through a new caucus, said Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., in a press release. The caucus, named the Friends of the TPP, is co-chaired by Congressmen Charles Boustany, R-La., Ron Kind, D-Wis., Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and Reichert.
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“American exports support nearly 10 million good-paying jobs here at home. The Trans-Pacific Partnership represents a great opportunity to be a groundbreaking, market-opening trade agreement that helps the United States reclaim some of its share of exports to key Asia-Pacific markets, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said Kind in a joint, co-chair statement (here). The Obama Administration continues to eye the end of 2013 for conclusion of negotiations (see 13100805). The Friends of TPP Caucus, launched on Oct. 29, will play a critical role in ensuring the TPP embodies free-trade principles that strengthen trade and open markets, said President of UPS Global Public Affairs, Laura Lane, in a U.S. Business Coalition for TPP statement (here).
"With the TPP negotiators working diligently to conclude the talks in the near term, the launch of the Friends of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Caucus comes at just the right time,” said Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, a coalition member, in an Oct. 29 release (here). “We need Congressional champions on the Hill to help advance this ambitious agreement, and we commend Reps. Boustany, Kind, Meeks and Reichert for their leadership and recognizing the importance of TPP to the U.S. economy." The coalition is composed of more than a 100 companies and associations.
The caucus establishment received immediate support from a statement by eight ambassadors of TPP participant countries. The TPP is being negotiated by 12 countries in total.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the ambassadors' statement.