Sen. Max Baucus is heading to New Zealand and Japan next week to promote the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a new free trade agreement that “provides the United States with a critical opportunity to break down barriers that have made it difficult to sell Montana products, like beef, in some of the world’s most important markets,” according to the senator’s office.
“More trade means more jobs, and more jobs is what this trip is all about,” Baucus said in a release. “The Asia Pacific region will drive the next wave of economic growth, so America has to strengthen our trade ties with countries like Japan and New Zealand to stay competitive.”
Baucus will meet with both countries’ prime ministers, top cabinet officials, opposition party leaders and business leaders. Additionally, he said he will meet with “Americans building ties with Japan through the Mansfield fellowship,” a program named after Mike Mansfield, the late Montana senator and ambassador to Japan.
Montana’s senior senator also plans to “examine the economic success of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, in hopes of drawing parallels that could help promote job creation in Montana’s reservation communities.”
As Montana’s sixth-largest export partner, according to Baucus’ office, Japan imported more than $63 million worth of Montana goods in 2011. The country remains the largest purchaser of Montana wheat. But Baucus feels “there is enormous potential to sell even more to Japan by breaking down Japan’s trade barriers and further opening its market,” particularly with agriculture products.
Japan is not currently participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations but is considering whether to join, Baucus’ office said. New Zealand is participating in the negotiations.
“Japan is a huge market for Montana farmers and ranchers, but unfounded barriers to Montana beef are hurting our ranchers and the jobs they depend on,” Baucus said. “So, I’m taking our case straight to the top.”
“New Zealand is a critical partner for us in securing a Trans-Pacific Partnership that will make it easier for Montana to sell our world-class goods in the growing Pacific market and make sure our trading partners play by the rules,” he added. “When the playing field is level, Montana’s farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs can compete with the best in the world.”