Mexico and Canada have accepted invitations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in a move that marks a significant opportunity for the outdoor industry.

 

The multilateral free trade agreement is a key element of the Obama Administration’s efforts to support the creation and retention of high-quality jobs for Americans by increasing exports to the vibrant economies of the Asia-Pacific region. The TPP countries (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States) have completed 12 rounds of negotiations and the nine countries have made solid progress. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place July 2 – 10 in San Diego.

 

The Obama Administration will shortly notify Congress of its intent to include Canada amd Mexico in the TPP negotiations. The notification will trigger a 90-day consultation period with Congress on U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to the two countries.


 

In a missive Tuesday, Outdoor Industry Association said it is still analyzing what trade rules Canada and Mexico have accepted in order to be admitted into the negotiation.  It is clear, however, that the addition of our NAFTA partners will be significant for the outdoor industry, wrote Director of Trade Policy Alex Boian.