Jun 21, 2012Mexico joins TPP
Potato industry leaders across the United States are applauding the announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon to include Mexico in the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations.
A National Potato Council (NPC) press release stated that the commitment creates a clear path to establishing expanded trade in fresh potatoes between the two countries that is based on strong science-based phytosanitary provisions envisioned by the TPP agreement.
The pending agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.
The decision to strengthen the trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is a tremendous win for growers, processors, retailers and consumers on both sides of the border,” said Randy Hardy, NPC vice president for Trade Affairs.
“Bilateral negotiations are a win for producers and consumers in both countries,” said Ritchey Toevs, USPB co-chair of the International Marketing committee. “We’ve worked on this a long time and finally see some positive progress.”
“The Idaho Potato Commission applauds the net result of the Mexican government and the U.S. government working towards a resolution of potatoes coming into Mexico,” said Frank Muir, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC).
“It’s a great start and it’s going to be a great partnership with Mexico,” said R.J. Andrus, a commissioner on the IPC.
“
