IDFA voiced support last week for the United States to enter the new TPP trade negotiations following President Donald Trump’s recent comments about re-engaging in the trade talks to obtain a better agreement for the United States. Also last week, 26 Republican senators urged the president to enter negotiations on the agreement, which could provide U.S. dairy companies with more access to several growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

In January, 11 countries announced the new Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which replaces the original TPP that included the United States. The countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

“IDFA would welcome supporting the administration’s efforts for re-engaging with the Trans-Pacific Partnership countries in a manner that results in new market opportunities for the U.S. dairy industry,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “We believe that U.S. dairy companies benefit from the opportunities that exist in the Asia-Pacific region, where demand for dairy products is rising rapidly.”

In their letter to President Trump, the senators said, “We ask that you prioritize engagement with the TPP so that the American people can prosper from the tremendous opportunities that these trading partners bring.”

IDFA has stressed to the administration and Congress that trade agreements with markets in the Asia-Pacific region are critically important to the continued growth of the U.S. dairy industry. IDFA will continue to work with federal officials and members of congress on expanding opportunities for dairy in new trade agreements and seeking more market access for dairy products abroad.

For more information, contact Beth Hughes, IDFA’s director of international affairs, at bhughes@idfa.org.