WCIT, AWB Report: TPP Could Help Washington Exports Jump Nearly $9B

The Washington Council on International Trade and Association of Washington Business recently released a new study, showing how TPP could benefit the state’s economy.  Eric Schinfeld, WCIT President, says agriculture would be the big winner, statewide.  He said currently, ag products have to pay not only high tariffs, but there are also challenges when it comes to  accessing a variety of markets.

“When we’re able to get rid of specifically a whole host of tariffs and non-tariff barriers into these countries, we’re talking about huge markets for Washington’s agricultural goods.”

Schinfeld said Washington’s economy, which is already heavily dependent upon trade, would greatly benefits from the passage of TPP.

“26,000 more jobs in Washington, And almost $9 billion more in exports.  So, this is one of those agreements that can really open up new markets.  And we know that Asia Pacific is a growing part of our global economy, we need to take advantage of that as much as possible.”

According to Kris Johnson, AWB President, “this study confirms that the best approach to growing the state’s economy is to strengthen trade ties”.  If passed, TPP would eliminate 18,000 export tariffs.

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