TPA Statement on the TPP Agreement

Earlier this week, the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations reached an historic trade agreement with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). This trade agreement has been a work in progress that has taken years to reach this critical point. Free trade is good for the economy and taxpayers and agreeing to TPP is a step in the right direction for all countries involved.  This agreement was made possible by the passage of Trade Promotion Authority.  The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is proud to have helped secure passage of Trade Promotion Authority, which advances free trade while also providing oversight of all trade deals.

As the U.S. trade deficit in the Pacific region continues to be a problem for our economy, TPP can be a positive step forward in helping to eliminate the deficit. There is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in order to thoroughly analyze the full impact that the agreement will have on the United States and partner nations.

TPA will carefully examine this comprehensive free trade agreement to make sure taxpayers, consumers, and businesses will all benefit. The deal covers a wide range of areas including agriculture, intellectual property (IP), health care, technology, tariffs, and many more. For example, while IP violations continue to be a problem worldwide, the TPP can help to increase the strength of IP both at home and abroad.

While there still may be some issues of concern, there is plenty of time to address these concerns and advance solutions that will help move TPP in a positive direction.

TPA looks forward to working on these issues as the agreement becomes public, and hopes that Congress will do their part to make sure that free trade is still an ideal that is supported and promulgated by the United States.