Transcript Key Issues/Goals - National Journal

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a proposed regional trade agreement involving twelve Pacific Rim countries
representing approximately 35% of global GDP. The agreement aims to increase trade by lowering tariffs and aligning
various regulatory standards. Opponents criticize some proposed intellectual property and international investment
provisions, as well as the process whereby countries negotiate in secret.
Timeline
Countries Involved
GDP (billions)
Key Issues/Goals
United States
$17,418
•
Japan
$4,919
Canada
$1,788
Increase trade in goods and
services by lowering tariffs and
removing regulatory barriers
2002: New Zealand, Chile, and
Singapore begin negotiating a
Pacific-focused trade pact
•
2008: The U.S. joins the talks
Australia
$1,444
South Korea (potential)
$1,416
Mexico
$1,282
Increase agricultural trade (TPP
countries account for 42% of
U.S. exports and 47% of U.S.
imports of agricultural products)
•
Taiwan (potential)
$529
Malaysia
$326
2013: Japan, which would be the
second largest potential signatory,
agrees to enter talks
Singapore
$297
Strengthen intellectual property
rights to match U.S. standards in
order to increase trade,
especially in digital goods
•
Chile
$257
Peru
$202
New Zealand
$181
Reduce regulatory barriers to
international investment and
expand legal mechanisms for
settling disputes between
investors and states
Vietnam
$170
•
Brunei
$16
Align environmental and labor
standards
Source: National Journal Research, 2015; IMF; USDA; Office of the United States Trade Representative.
2010-present: Additional
countries join while 20 rounds of
trade negotiations are held
April 2014: A bipartisan bill to
grant the Obama administration
“fast track” trade authority is
introduced in the House and
Senate; this would allow the
agreement an up-or-down vote in
Congress without amendments