Froman says ‘great’ TPP meetings held in Singapore
December 10, 2013 | 06:06 PM
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said today that the Trans-Pacific Partnership held a “great set of meetings” in Singapore, and that there was “great momentum” out of the meeting.
In a telephone call to reporters before leaving Singapore, Froman said “all the ministers left feeling very positive” and that they are planning another meeting next month.
He provided few details, but said the meeting had focused on both the trade rules and market access tracks and that the United States was “very focused on market access.”
The parallel meetings with Japan had focused on “autos, insurance, other nontariff areas,” he said.
“Agriculture comes up in various parts of the agreement and the negotiations in TPP,” Froman said.
“There are rules and disciplines around agriculture, including in the goods chapter and also in what we call SPS, sanitary and phytosanitary standards. In the market access negotiations, agriculture is obviously a key issue across the board as we talk with other countries about gaining access to their agricultural market.”
USTR also released a fact sheet on the agreement. (See link below.)
Froman said the goal is to complete the agreement with the current 12 countries involved, but noted that “there are additional countries interested in joining down the road.”Add this above Hatch.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said in a news release, “Above all, our negotiators have shown they are committed to an ambitious and comprehensive outcome. I look forward to their delivering on that commitment in the coming months.”
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement that there had been significant progress in the talks, but that the United States must continue to insist on “the highest standards that will benefit American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers.”
“If some parties are unable to undertake such commitments, I again urge Ambassador Froman to consider concluding only with those that can, and if necessary, on a staggered timetable,” Hatch added.
In a telephone call to reporters before leaving Singapore, Froman said “all the ministers left feeling very positive” and that they are planning another meeting next month.
He provided few details, but said the meeting had focused on both the trade rules and market access tracks and that the United States was “very focused on market access.”
The parallel meetings with Japan had focused on “autos, insurance, other nontariff areas,” he said.
“Agriculture comes up in various parts of the agreement and the negotiations in TPP,” Froman said.
“There are rules and disciplines around agriculture, including in the goods chapter and also in what we call SPS, sanitary and phytosanitary standards. In the market access negotiations, agriculture is obviously a key issue across the board as we talk with other countries about gaining access to their agricultural market.”
USTR also released a fact sheet on the agreement. (See link below.)
Froman said the goal is to complete the agreement with the current 12 countries involved, but noted that “there are additional countries interested in joining down the road.”Add this above Hatch.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said in a news release, “Above all, our negotiators have shown they are committed to an ambitious and comprehensive outcome. I look forward to their delivering on that commitment in the coming months.”
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement that there had been significant progress in the talks, but that the United States must continue to insist on “the highest standards that will benefit American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers.”
“If some parties are unable to undertake such commitments, I again urge Ambassador Froman to consider concluding only with those that can, and if necessary, on a staggered timetable,” Hatch added.
