Honolulu, HI – Today, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk commented on the announcement made by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):
“The United States welcomes Prime Minister Noda’s important announcement expressing Japan’s intention to begin consultations with Trans-Pacific Partnership countries towards joining the TPP negotiations,” said Ambassador Kirk. “In close consultation with Congress and our domestic stakeholders, we look forward to engaging with the Japanese in these discussions. To join the negotiations, Japan must be prepared to meet the TPP's high standards for liberalizing trade and to address specific issues of concern to the United States regarding barriers to agriculture, services, and manufacturing trade, including non-tariff measures. Japan’s interest in the TPP demonstrates the economic and strategic importance of this initiative to the region."
