U.S. Chamber Hails Entry of Mexico into Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations

‘The TPP Has the Potential to Set the Table for the Next Round of Global Economic Growth,’ Says Donohue

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Attending G-20 meetings with government and business leaders in Los Cabos, Mexico, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today issued the following statement welcoming the announcement that Mexico has been invited to join nine other Pacific Rim nations, including the United States, in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement:

“The Chamber applauds today’s announcement that Mexico will enter the TPP negotiations.  As our neighbor and second-largest export market, Mexico’s participation will help ensure the TPP becomes an engine for economic growth.  The U.S. and Mexican economies are already closely integrated, with more than one-third of the content of Mexico’s exports made in the U.S., so this has the potential to be a huge win for American companies and workers.

“Since announcing its interest in joining the TPP negotiations, Mexico has taken significant steps to demonstrate its readiness to join the high-standard TPP agreement, and we look forward to Mexico’s continued progress toward key economic reforms, particularly with respect to regulatory coherence and intellectual property rights.
“The same arguments can be made for the participation of Canada, one of America’s closest allies and our top trading partner.  The Chamber urges the U.S. and Canadian governments, alongside other TPP partners, to redouble their efforts to ensure that this important trade agreement embraces the entire North American economy.

“The Chamber also hopes Japan will soon be able to make the same clear commitment to the TPP’s high standards, comprehensive scope, and ambitious timetable as Mexico has today.  The ongoing U.S.-Japanese consultations have shown there is more work to be done, but Japan’s participation could boost the Japanese economy while also making the TPP a more substantial agreement.

“The TPP has the potential to set the table for the next round of global economic growth.  This deal could not come at a more important time for the American economy.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.