WASHINGTON - In response to an agreement today signifying U.S. support for Japan’s involvement in trans-Pacific trade talks, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Japan’s full participation in these negotiations and the successful formation of a Trans-Pacific Partnership would “hold great potential for expanding job and economic growth” in the U.S. and Tennessee.
“Japanese investment in Tennessee has created good-paying jobs and growth for a long time, so tearing down barriers to further trade and foreign investment is key to strengthening our economy for the future. More work remains to be done before Japan’s full participation in these talks, but today’s announcement should lay the groundwork for the eventual addition of a strong U.S. ally, regional leader and one of the world’s largest economies to trans-Pacific trade negotiations that hold great potential for expanding job and economic growth in the U.S.,” said Corker. “Having recently returned from Japan where I met with Prime Minister Abe and other Japanese officials about cooperation with the U.S. on important security and economic issues, including TPP talks, I will continue to be a strong advocate for a successful outcome that includes Japan, removes trade barriers and allows citizens from Tennessee and around the country to do more business in Asia.”
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