National Potato Council: TPP Could Expand Potato Exports

The National Potato Council sees the Trans-Pacific Partnership as an opportunity to expand U.S. potato exports.  If implemented, the trade agreement would reduce tariffs on U.S. potatoes to countries included in the TPP.  Potato Council CEO John Keeling says currently, says purchasing decisions are made on pennies per pound, making the impact of tariffs significant, and put the U.S. behind competitors such as Australia.

“You know, it’s not all price we believe U.S. fries are superior to other fries in terms of the length of the fry and all that, but at some point small amounts of difference in tariffs make a big difference in those purchase decisions.”

Currently, the U.S. is exporting more than a billion dollars of potatoes to the countries included in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  He said by reducing tariffs on U.S. potatoes in TPP countries, Keeling says the potato export market could expand.  He added the trade agreement does not seem likely to be passed this year, but says, ultimately, Congress will likely approve the agreement.

“TPP is really, in the end about whether we’re going to be a country that’s engaged in the world of commerce and in global commerce or whether we’re going to be somebody that takes a backseat and I don’t think we are a country that will take a backseat,” Keeling said.

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