Business Leaders Criticize Lack of TPP Ambition
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations have yet to achieve the level of ambition pledged by participant governments, a group of business and trade associations said in a Sept. 18 letter submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative. The letter was endorsed by Emergency Committee for American Trade, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Business Roundtable, Coalition of Services Industries, National Association of Manufacturers, National Pork Producers Council, Retail Industry Leaders Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and United States Council for International Business.
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“We urge you to redouble your efforts toward the goal of a comprehensive, high-standard, and commercially meaningful agreement that removes barriers to trade and investment and addresses 21st Century challenges in all sectors,” read the letter. “We stand ready to support you in achieving this outcome.” Some of those endorsers visited Capitol Hill on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 to pressure lawmakers into insisting on flexible rules of origin for textiles (see 13091719). TPP market access and sensitive issues remain outstanding and contentious (see 13082011). The coinciding visit to the Hill and letter to USTR indicate TPP negotiations are hitting a critical juncture, said Stephanie Lester, vice president-international trade for the Retail Industry Leaders Association. The U.S. must lead the way in confronting those remaining obstacles, said Lester in an interview.
“Our Hill visits were really focused on apparel because how goes the U.S. on apparel, how goes Japan on Autos and Canada on dairy,” said Lester, noting other sensitive TPP issues. “All countries have sensitive issues and they will be looking to the U.S. to open up on our sensitive issues. They will look to the U.S. put forward that level of ambition.” The USTR continues to eye the end of 2013 for the conclusion of TPP negotiations (see 13091118). The USTR rush to conclude the negotiations and mark an administration victory is a concern, said Lester. But “the deal hasn’t panned out yet and the TPP can be remedied. That’s also what we intended to show through the letter,” said Lester.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the letter submitted to USTR.