President Obama’s TPP talk excites Kiwi famers
Federated Farmers is elated U.S. President, Barack Obama, has committed the United States to the Trans Pacific
Partnership in his State of the Union address.
“The world is a better and safer place when we trade openly and honestly,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers
President.
“This is greatly reinforced by President Obama saying to the American people that he wants to complete negotiations on
the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
“We can all look forward to a great 2013 because America wants to export its way to growth just as much as we do.
“The TPP economies have a combined GDP of some US$21 trillion. This opportunity is so vast, the only way to comprehend
it is a stack one U.S. dollar notes that would reach all the way to the moon and back some two and a half times.
“The TPP places us in tomorrow’s world and with tomorrow’s economies like Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei,
Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
“This game changer is now within our grasp for our economy and especially our primary industries.
“I recognise some people fear the TPP but did not another US President facing troubled economic times say “the only
thing we have to fear is fear itself”. In the 1930’s, the world turned to protectionism and trade barriers that took a
global cataclysm to resolve.
“Today, we know that trade is the best guarantor of peace and stability because it lifts living standards and
understanding.
“All we want is a TPP which eliminates tariffs on all products without exception, introduces liberal rules of origin
within the TPP region and ensures regulations adhere to international science based standards.
“We have the strong impression President Obama wants that to,” Mr Wills concluded.
“Now, even as we protect our people, we should remember that today’s world presents not just dangers, not just threats,
it presents opportunities. To boost American exports, support American jobs and level the playing field in the growing
markets of Asia, we intend to complete negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership. And tonight, I’m announcing that we
will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union -- because
trade that is fair and free across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs.”
President Barack Obama, State of the Union Address as delivered