Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX 28) praised the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) partners for reaching the outlines of an agreement after nine rounds of productive negotiations this past weekend.

Two years after the Administration’s first announcement to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, the agreement reflects a modernized and ambitious outline that parallels to American goals and priorities – generate high-quality jobs, while supporting healthy international relations.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership framework agreement increases American exports and supports domestic jobs by addressing new trade issues, including comprehensive market access, cross-cutting trade, and full regional agreement.

“Today’s agreement is a win-win for the nation and TPP partners,” said Congressman Cuellar. “When we open the doors to trade we not only help our own economy boost U.S. job creation, but we are also increasing domestic exports to some of the world’s robust economies for U.S. manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services suppliers. I commend the Trans Pacific Partnership for their progress and for ensuring that these negotiations reached a successful conclusion.”

The TPP is an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement that the United States is negotiating with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The agreement will strengthen multi-lateral trade relations within these countries, and it includes provisions that addresses trade sectors including textiles, agriculture and industrial goods. The agreements are also designed to allow and encourage small and medium-sized businesses to participate in international trade.

“Even with the passage of the 21^st century trade deals with Panama, Colombia and South Korea, the nation must continue to push through pro-trade policy that supports American jobs and makes the United States an export powerhouse,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Now more than ever, our mutual global competitiveness resides on our ability to receive and exchange information and goods. I am pleased with the TPP negotiators’ steady progress for meeting collectively to discuss access to each other’s markets.”

According to the United States Trade Representative, as a group, TPP countries are the fourth largest goods export market of the United States and our fourth largest services export market.  In 2010, the United States exported $775 billion equaling 61 percent of total American goods to the world. U.S. small and medium-sized businesses exported $171 billion to Asia-Pacific in 2009. The next action for the leaders of the nine TPP countries is to meet in early December and schedule additional negotiating rounds.