Trade briefing on Capitol Hill
Sep 10, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice COO Bob Cummings joined representatives from the dairy and sugar industries on Tuesday for a briefing on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the House Agriculture committee. The briefing, for the agriculture staff of individual Committee Members, was in preparation for a meeting between the Committee and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman the following day which was held in executive session.
“By all reports, the TPP negotiations are coming to a close, and Tuesday’s session was a good opportunity to share with staff our concerns about important improvements that are still needed in the rice market access deal reportedly negotiated between the U.S. and Japan” said Cummings.
Expectations among many were high that the negotiations would close at the Ministerial meeting held in Hawaii in late July, but trade ministers were unable to resolve differences on three key issues: the rules of origin for automobiles and parts manufactured in the 12 TPP countries, dairy market access, and the length of time certain medicines would receive patent protection within TPP countries. Press reports indicate that negotiations to resolve these issues are currently taking place.