Mexico Invited to Join TPP Negotiations

June 18, 2012

On June 18, 2012, President Obama announced that the United States and the eight other countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement have extended an invitation to Mexico to join the TPP negotiations, pending successful conclusion of their domestic procedures. Since expressing interest in joining the TPP negotiations last November, Mexican Officials have held bilateral meetings with current TPP participants to discuss issues of concern to each nation. The nine current TPP countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Administration will notify Congress of its intent to include Mexico in the TPP negotiations shortly. The notification will trigger a 90-day consultation period with Congress on U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to Mexico. The USTR will also publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comments.

The 13^th round of TPP negotiations is scheduled to take place July 2-10 in San Diego, California.

For further information, please continue to visit www.barnesrichardson.com, or contact a Barnes/Richardson attorney.