Following today’s announcement of an agreement on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by the United States and its eleven negotiating partners, Atlantic Council Chairman Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe, and Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Deputy Director Jason Marczak, who has led much of the Council’s work on TPP, articulated support for the new global trade deal.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership lowers barriers for US exports into fast-growing Latin American and Asian markets, sets high-standards for the future of global trade, and has strong geostrategic implications for US security. The deal, a culmination of nearly eight years of negotiations, was agreed to in Atlanta.

“The announcement of a finalized TPP deal is a victory for America’s future in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Governor Huntsman. “It was not an easy road to get here, but this deal represents a major breakthrough pivotal in cementing relationships in key areas of the world. TPP puts the United States in the global driver’s seat to write the next generations of trade rules.”

The three speakers commented on the Atlantic Council’s focus on the importance of global trade policies to US leadership in the twenty-first century. At the Council this April, US Secretary of State John F. Kerry delivered an argument for TPP and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), saying the economic case for both deals is “overwhelming.” The Council also hosted representatives from four of Washington’s eleven allies in TPP—Chile, Japan, Peru, and Singapore—in June to discuss TPP’s implications.

Finalization of the Trans-Pacific Partnership is also a major strategic achievement, according to Fred Kempe. “In addition to the strong economic implications, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a key component of US national security strategy at a time of great global uncertainties. TPP is concrete proof that the United States can galvanize allies to move in a direction critical for a more prosperous global order, overcoming domestic and international obstacles along the way.”

To highlight strategic opportunities of this dynamic period of global trade momentum, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center in partnership with the Global Business and Economics Program launched the Global Trade and the Americas Series in 2014. The series has engaged and informed public sector, business, academic, and media leaders on emerging trade opportunities and specifically the geo-economic implications of TPP for Latin America and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

“The TPP agreement solidifies the critical role of the US in commercial relationships among our fast-growing Latin American trade partners and Asia,” Jason Marczak added. “It’s not a perfect agreement, but no agreement ever is perfect.” He affirmed this deal will not only unlock barriers with new free trade partners but also update agreements with top US export destinations like Mexico and Canada.

Committed to promoting constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs, the Atlantic Council will continue to engage with global leaders as the deal moves to Congress for approval in the coming months.

About the Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan institution that promotes global security and prosperity. It brings together a uniquely influential network of North American and European leaders and their allies and partners who share a common interest in addressing international challenges.

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