Representatives from six U.S. farm organizations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made the case for the recently-finalized Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement at a press conference held Wednesday in conjunction with the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s (NAFB’s) annual convention.

Speakers from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), American Soybean Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and National Association of Wheat Growers explained to the crowd of reporters the benefits this agreement would hold for their particular sectors, focusing on the potential for expanded exports of U.S. products.

USGC Chairman Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Nebraska who spoke at the event, said the agreement would allow for expanded coarse grain trade in some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, which have increasing demand for meat, dairy and eggs.

He described the advantages of the agreement, including locking in zero tariffs in some markets, reducing non-tariff barrier challenges and providing a framework for additional countries to join, further expanding the potential for TPP’s impact. 

“Trade agreements crack open new markets for our farmers, allowing organizations like ours to go in, build demand and capture new sales in the short term and build loyal buying relationships for years to come,� he said.

“We are excited to see the benefits of TPP come alive – from changing the game in Japanese agriculture, deepening our long-term relationships with our buyers there, to giving us new competitive advantages in Vietnam, the fastest growing feed grain market in the world.�

In addition to farmer representatives, Phil Karsting, the administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), spoke in support of the delicately-negotiated agreement.

Despite some concerns voiced in Congress, the Obama Administration is moving forward with the steps needed for TPP to become U.S. law.

The Administration formally requested analysis of the agreement from the International Trade Commission late last week, and President Barack Obama said this week that he is eager to sign TPP into law, indicating he believes that it will pass Congress before his term ends in January 2017.

More about TPP is available at USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Trade Benefits America Coalition.