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McIntyre pushes for fair treatment of tobacco in Trans-Pacific Partnership
Story Date: 5/14/2012
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 5/11/12
U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre today has called on United States Trade Representative (USTR) Mark Kirk to delay the consideration of tobacco text in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in order to give North Carolina tobacco farmers more time to review and comment.
Congressman McIntyre stated, “The TPP is very important to North Carolina tobacco farmers, and we need to make sure that tobacco is treated fairly. While I am pleased that we have shifted the discussion at the USTR away from a consideration of a tariff reduction carve out, there is more work to be done to ensure that the deal does not unfairly harm the North Carolina tobacco industry. That’s why USTR should delay this measure and give ample opportunity for North Carolina tobacco growers’ voices to be heard! ”
The USTR is widely suspected to be drafting specific language for the treatment of tobacco in the TPP, which is a trade agreement being negotiated between nine countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The TPP is one of the largest trade deals ever to be negotiated by the United States and, if enacted, would remove restrictions to trade between participating countries.
Earlier this month Congressman McIntyre met with Ambassador Marantis who is currently leading negotiations on behalf of the United States between the leaders of the nine TPP countries. In meeting with Ambassador Marantis, Congressman McIntyre made clear the harm of a potential tobacco carve out in the TPP. Congressman McIntyre has been in regular communications with the USTR on the treatment of tobacco in the TPP and will continue to push United Trade Representative Kirk to draft a trade agreement that does not unduly harm North Carolina agriculture.
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