Vietnam Committee Update on Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Please join the US-ASEAN Business Council for a teleconference to discuss the status of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The discussion will include an overview of the TPA timeline which began on June 29 when President Obama signed TPA into law.  Participants will also receive an update on the TPP negotiations with a focus on U.S. and Vietnamese priorities in advance of the July 28-31 TPP ministerial in Hawaii.

Call participants may wish to consider reading the following materials prior to the call:

Timeline and Requirements for Trade Agreements Under TPA-2015 Legislation by the Trade Benefits America Coalition

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Negotiations and Issues for Congress by the U.S. Congressional Research Service

United States - Vietnam Joint Vision Statement released on July 7.  In regard to the TPP, the text states:

"The United States and Vietnam expect to work in close coordination with the other negotiating parties to conclude the ambitious and comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as soon as possible and to carry out whatever reforms may be necessary to meet the high standards of the TPP agreement, including as necessary with respect to commitments relating to the 1998 ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.  Both countries are committed to a high-quality, balanced TPP agreement that meets the interests of all parties and creates a new long-lasting, mutually beneficial framework for economic and trade cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, while providing a new impetus for regional economic cooperation and contributing to cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.  The United States applauds Vietnam’s progress in economic reforms and affirms continued support for and constructive engagement with Vietnam, and the United States notes Vietnam’s interest in pursuing market economy country status."