U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement today on the conclusion of the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“Today’s unprecedented trade agreement between the United States of America and 11 other countries is a substantial win for our nation’s workers, farmers, and businesses who support well-paying jobs by exporting ‘Made-in-America’ goods and services.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a tough, high-standard, and modern trade agreement that reflects our values on labor, the environment, and human rights. It will strengthen the hand of American workers and ensure that our businesses can compete on a level playing field in some of the world’s most significant markets.

“President Obama's trade agenda is focused on growing the American economy and supporting middle class jobs at home, and I commend our entire Administration for their hard work to close an agreement that creates new opportunities for U.S. manufacturers, workers, and farmers to compete around the world.

“The Commerce Department has played a critical role in the TPP negotiations and will continue to be instrumental as we move forward.”

On Background:

The Commerce Department plays a critical role in negotiating and implementing trade agreements. Specifically: 

1. Commerce has industry and issue experts at the negotiating table for TPP and other agreements, advocating for strong rules/disciplines to ensure that U.S. firms and workers compete in the global marketplace.
    
2. Commerce provides critical data to industry to help them make smart decisions about where to invest.
    
3. Commerce has more than 100 U.S. Export Assistance Centers across the country.  Their purpose is to help American businesses with every step of the export process.  The Department now has more than 175 foreign commercial service professionals located in the eleven TPP partner countries.  They provide American companies with on-the-ground assistance as they seek to successfully navigate exporting into new markets.
    
4. The Department places a high priority on vigorous enforcement of U.S. trade remedy laws which apply to all countries with or without a trade agreement.  Trading partners are held accountable when they violate U.S. trade laws and unfairly harm U.S. firms and workers.