TPP Important for Agriculture

TPP Important for Agriculture

Approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement is a multi-billion dollar issue for U.S. agriculture, but the presidential candidates are turning it into political 'hay,' opposing TPP to pick up union or blue collar voters — or perhaps Bernie Sanders supporters.

 

Donald Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, strongly backed trade negotiating power for the president as a former member of Congress and argued on the House floor in 2001

Pence: "If Indiana's farmers and food processors are to compete successfully, for opportunities ushered in by the 21st century — they need free trade and access to growing global markets."

 

Former USDA trade adviser in the Bill Clinton administration, Paul Drazek will not predict which way Hillary will go on TPP if elected, but suggests both candidates could change their position.

Drazek: "One of the things that they are going to realize is that failure to move forward on something like this — whether it is called TPP or maybe they rename it or finesse it or make substantive changes to it. That failure to do it could actually cost the US. jobs over the long haul because we will be losing trade to competitors who will sign up and continue to negotiate free trade agreements amongst themselves and will leave us out in the cold."

 

He says failing to approve TPP would shut the door on an estimated $350 billion in new U.S. exports, including $5 billion in added farm exports.

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