Groups representing U.S. cattle, hog and poultry producers urged lawmakers to approve rules that assure trade agreements will get a yes-or-no vote with no amendments. The farm groups said Trade Promotion Authority was needed with negotiations over the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership headed for conclusion. Chief negotiators from TPP nations – United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Canada and Mexico – met in New York on Monday.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman was scheduled to testify on trade issues before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.
A chief goal of U.S. farm groups under TPP is expanded access to Japan, which has been reluctant to act on the “five sacred” agricultural sectors of sugar, rice, wheat, dairy, and beef and pork. Said the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, “While the final terms of the agreement are still far from conclusion, TPP could give the United States a stronger foothold in the growing Asian and Pacific Rim markets.” The National Chicken Council said it “supports the move toward improved free and fair international trade.” The National Pork Producers Council sent a letter to lawmakers in support of TPA.