The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) encourages Ministers participating in the Vina del Mar, Chile meeting next week to continue efforts that will lead to implementation of the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
The CCA is concerned that the growing anti-trade rhetoric is extremely dangerous to the long-term viability of market-based trade and global economic growth. A fundamental goal of the CCA is to support policies that call for the removal of unnecessary barriers to trade.
For many years, the CCA has built relationships with our international counterparts and governments to advocate for the elimination of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. The TPP signed by 12 countries in February 2016 represented a new era of multi-lateral trade that could bring together consumers and producers from a diverse section of Pacific-Rim cultures and nations by establishing a stronger relationship based on sound science and market demand. Most importantly, TPP sets a new and high-level precedent for market access for the trade in beef and will serve as an example for other countries to follow.
The January 2017 notification of withdrawal from the TPP by the United States may be a setback to our vision, but we are encouraged that Trade Ministers from the remaining TPP signatory countries plus some non-members will gather in Chile next week to discuss options for continuing the process of liberalized trade so that our economies can grow.
Without wishing to pre-judge the outcome of those discussions, it would be beneficial for cattle producers throughout the TPP region for Ministers to re-commit to the spirit of the TPP agreement and direct officials to find ways of bringing the substance of the TPP into effect.
Source: CCA