The Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives Office (USTR) reported last week that the United States has completed its bilateral consultations with Japan regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Since November 2011, the United States has been engaged in consultations with Japan focused on Japan’s readiness to meet the TPP’s high standards for liberalizing trade and investment, and to address specific bilateral issues of concern in the automotive and insurance sectors, as well as other Japanese non-tariff measures.
“The United States and Japan have successfully completed these consultations by concluding a robust package of actions and agreements with Japan in the automotive and insurance sectors, as well as other non-tariff measures. As a result, we are pleased to welcome Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations pending a consensus agreement among the current TPP members and the completion of our respective domestic processes. Japan’s entry into this important initiative for the Asia-Pacific region will help it to deliver significant economic benefits to the United States, Japan, and the Asia-Pacific region,” USTR said.
More information about U.S. consultations with Japan can be found here. The U.S. Congress will need to provide its approval for Japan to join the negotiations. Also, the 10 other current TPP countries will need to signal their approval.
National Chicken Council President Mike Brown said “The U.S. chicken industry supports Japan’s official participation in the TPP process and looks forward to negotiations continuing to move forward on a timely path to achieve an agreement that will bode well for expanded U.S. chicken exports to Japan and other TPP countries.”
In 2012, U.S. chicken exports to Japan totaled $48.33 million, making it the 20th largest overseas market. For combined poultry and egg exports, last year’s total was $157.14 million, one of the United States’ important customers.
