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Vilsack to assure TPP partners at G7 meeting

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he will provide assurances about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the G-7 meeting in Japan.

The U.S. and two G-7 countries, Japan and Canada, are part of the 12-nation agreement,  “I want to reassure my colleagues that I’m confident that at the end of the day Congress will see the wisdom of expanding exports, increasing income for American producers and workers and helping to balance the Chinese influence in Asia.”

At least half of the 12 nations representing at least 85% of the total Gross Domestic Product must approve the TPP.  If either the U.S. or Japan fail to ratify the agreement after two years, it won’t go into effect.

The G-7 Member nations also include France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy. Vilsack says issues up for discussion will include climate change, open data, food waste, antimicrobial resistance and rural growth.