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NPPC confident TPP will pass, despite no deal in Hawaii

The National Pork Producers Council, NPPC, says it’s confident a final deal will be reached in the Trans Pacific Partnership.

The latest round of TPP talks, in Hawaii, ended late Friday night with no final deal.  U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman says that while they made significant progress on resolving remaining issues, there’s still more work to be done.

Nick Giordano, head of Global Government Affairs with NPPC, tells Brownfield the main sticking point is in the automotive sector. But, he’s optimistic, “I’m confident that they will finalize the deal. And, NPPC leadership is guardedly optimistic that we’re going to get a VERY good outcome for pork producers.”

Giordano tells Brownfield Ag News if this deal isn’t done, the U.S. is going to lose sales in the Asia Pacific region, “There are myriad other FTAs (free trade agreements) under negotiation in the Asia Pacific region that we’re not involved in, where we’re not driving the bus.”

As for agriculture sticking points, the U.S. wants more access to Canada’s dairy market and New Zealand wants more access to the U.S. dairy market in the TPP.  Australia is pushing the U.S. to increase its sugar imports.

According to Politico, Japan’s economics minister said that trade ministers would try to convene again before the end of August and that only one more meeting would be required to close the deal.

AUDIO:  Interview with Nick Giordano (15:30 mp3):