Honolulu, November 12, 2011– The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomed President Obama’s comments at the APEC CEO Summit in Hawaii today supporting an ambitious and comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and commended all TPP countries for issuing an outline to complete the negotiations in 2012.
“The president’s strong statement for a comprehensive and forward-looking 21st-century trade agreement will help maintain the momentum for completing the TPP negotiations,” stated Rob Mulligan, USCIB’s senior vice president and head of the Washington office, who is attending the APEC CEO Summit. “The business community has been meeting with leaders from all of the TPP countries over the last few days to urge them to move forward expeditiously with a high-standard agreement that covers all sectors and products.”
Mr. Mulligan further noted: “Japan’s interest in joining the TPP talks highlights the importance of the negotiations for opening markets in the Asia-Pacific region. If Japan is ready to take on the high-standards, comprehensive commitments that the U.S. business community is seeking in a TPP agreement, then this would be a significant addition to the negotiation.”
Mr. Mulligan said USCIB looks forward to working with U.S. leadership and its partners in the business community to ensure that the final TPP trade agreement produces new economic opportunities and exports to sustain and increase American jobs and the maximum commercial benefits of the growing Asia-Pacific market.
About USCIB
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More information is available at www.uscib.org.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
(212) 703-5043, jhuneke@uscib.org
