Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Announcement for The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee welcomes the recent announcement that the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries have agreed upon a broad outline for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP):

“This is a promising step in the right direction for an agreement that is poised to serve as a model for regional economic integration. The rapidly growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region are already critical to United States manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors, TPP will pave the way to deeper regional cooperation and integration. I also welcome Japan’s announcement that it intends to begin consultations with TPP countries toward joining the negotiations.

"I look forward to working in close consultation with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Kirk as the U.S. works as quickly as possible toward a comprehensive agreement with high standards for trade liberalization.” [End]