The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) stated this week that negotiators at the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks in Hawaii made “substantial progress” on rules related to trade in agriculture and other issues, bringing the agreement one step closer to completion.
USTR said progress was made toward eliminating tariffs, which in some TPP countries exceed 70 percent for some agricultural exports, while at the same time addressing U.S. import sensitivities. No mention was made of U.S. efforts to persuade Canada to open its dairy markets to more competition, or to get Japan to ease import levies on its “sacred” agricultural products, which include rice, wheat, beef and pork. The release was also silent on Australia’s campaign to export more sugar to the United States. Each of these issues has been mentioned as a roadblock to a TPP agreement.
In a nod toward some Democrats who object to the proposed treaty among 12 Pacific Rim nations, USTR said “significant strides” were made on a chapter that would require countries wishing to send goods to the U.S. to “provide critical environmental protections.” Progress was also made on provisions guaranteeing the rights of workers as outlined by the International Labor Organization.
Negotiators from the countries involved in the talks are now formalizing the progress made in Hawaii and looking for “common ground” toward concluding negotiations, USTR said. TPP negotiations have now been going on for five years.
