U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk met today with Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast to discuss Canada’s interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
Ambassador Kirk and Minister Fast discussed each government’s engagement with its domestic stakeholders and consultations with other TPP partners on Canada’s interest in joining the TPP talks.
Ambassador Kirk and Canadian Minister Fast Meet in Washington, DC
The United States, along with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, are working to craft a high-standard agreement that addresses new and emerging trade issues and 21st-century challenges through the TPP. In November 2011, Canada expressed its interest in joining the TPP negotiations. Canada and the United States, along with Mexico, are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which entered into force in 1994. Canada is the United States’ largest export market, with exports increasing over 12 percent in 2011.
The top U.S. exports to Canada in 2011 were vehicles, machinery, electrical machinery, mineral fuel and oil, and plastic. Additionally, the U.S. exported $19 billion worth of agricultural products to Canada in 2011, including fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, red meats, and snack food.
The United States and Canada are scheduled to meet later this month for further discussions.
