Passage of TPP would boost California ag exports to Asia

President Obama won support from Congress in October for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed trade deal that would boost California agricultural exports by billions of dollars, reported Ken Wayne of KTVU TV in San Francisco. A vote on the deal is expected in Congress next summer, but may be delayed until after the 2016 election.

If passed, the TPP would open up ag trade with countries like Vietnam, Japan, Australia and Malasia, who are clamoring for California fruit, vegetables, nuts and wine. China is not part of the proposed trade deal.

Wayne's story featured clips from a lengthy interview with the director of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Agricultural Issues Center Dan Sumner, who explained why Pacific rim countries want to purchase California agricultural products.

"We're good at it," Sumner said. "They want our stuff. The governments get in the way. The more we can get the governmental barriers out of the way, the more their consumers can take our stuff."

The vote last month gave the president the ability to "fast-track" negotiations with the Pacific Rim countries. Congress can still reject the deal.

Sumner said it is a shame that the $9 billion dairy industry was left out of the TPP. 

"Asia and other Pacific rim countries want our products," he said. "We left some barriers in place that should have come down further."

Sumner said California farmers and their allies are pushing to get TPP approved.