Today, Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to the President’s announcement that the United States will participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations:

Camp:  “I am pleased that the United States will finally begin participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.  The TPP creates the chance for a state-of-the-art regional trade agreement that would provide access to over 160 million customers for U.S. manufacturing, technology, services, and agriculture.  I welcome the President’s commitment to engage in bipartisan consultations on these negotiations.  At the same time, particularly in light of last week’s unemployment report, I urge the President to help speed Congressional consideration of the pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.”

Brady:  “My primary mission in attending the APEC summit this week has been to encourage the United States to endorse the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, and I welcome the President’s announcement.  These talks are widely supported in Congress by Members of both parties because they would bridge the Pacific between Asia and the Americas.  Negotiations with the TPP countries, which collectively represent our sixth largest trading partner, can help counter efforts by our competitors to move ahead aggressively and leave American workers and exporters behind.  The TPP also provides a framework to add other countries as they are ready, furthering U.S. engagement in the region.”

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