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USMEF official: U.S. needs TPP to stay competitive

A top official of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) says the U.S. needs to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement if it wants to remain competitive in the world market.

USMEF president and CEO Phil Seng says other countries are “stepping up their game” when it comes to meat exports.

“We better pass TPP because Japan has held ten different sessions with the Europeans.  They’re very aggressive and they’re going to continue to work at this,” Seng says. “(Also) Korea has EPA’s (Economic Partnership Agreements) with, for example, Australia, Canada and the European Union.  And China is going to conclude an EPA with Australia, which will lower their beef duty by about 50 percent.”

Officials say the TPP is on the verge of being finalized.  However, some countries are reportedly hesitant to finalize the deal until Congress passes Trade Promotion Authority.

AUDIO: Phil Seng–comments made during a conference call with ag reporters 5-21-15