Inside Trade

November 3, 2025

FTA Central

Amari Sees Glimmer Of Hope As Dairy Makes Progress; Obama Calls Turnbull

ATLANTA -- Akira Amari, the Japanese minister for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), said late Thursday (Oct. 1) that negotiations continue to be extremely difficult but that he is beginning to see a glimmer of hope that a deal can get done here, as negotiators opted to extend the meeting at least through Saturday amid signs of progress on dairy market access. But the term of monopoly protection for biologic drugs continues to be the most difficult issue in the talks...

Froman Reassures Lawmakers USTR Is Seeking Balanced Dairy Deal

ATLANTA -- U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman last week sought to reassure members of the Ways & Means Committee that U.S. negotiators are working to get the best deal possible on dairy market access in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that would entail a balanced outcome for the sector, according to congressional sources. Froman did so during a Sept. 24 meeting with Ways & Means members on TPP in which he delivered a general assessment of the status of the negotiations...

Australia Says Its System Preserves Biologics Monopoly For Six Years

ATLANTA -- Australia is making the case to the United States and other Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries here that its domestic system effectively provides for at least six years of market exclusivity for biologic drugs, in an apparent effort to show flexibility to U.S. demands for an extended term for this advanced class of medicines, according to informed sources. This argument is notable because Australia made clear at the July TPP ministerial in Maui that it was not willing to...

Brown, DeLauro Blast Reported 45 Percent Auto ROO Deal; Threaten To Work Against Ratification If In Final Deal

Editor's Note: Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is the Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee and sits on the Senate Agriculture and Finance Committees. 

Sen. Sherrod Brown Press Release

Rep. Rosa DeLauro Press Release

Previously Posted:
Froman To Hold Bilats With Australia, NZ, Others; Auto Update At Plenary

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Wyden Urges Froman To Push For Tobacco Carveout In TPP, Responds To Industry Arguments Against Exceptions

Letter From Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden To U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman

Previously Posted:
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Existing Language

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House Ag Committee Members Express Alarm Over TPP Rice, Dairy Market Access, Tobacco Carveout

Editor's Note: The letter is signed by 17 members of the House Agriculture Committee who all voted to give President Obama fast-track authority, also known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), in a June 18 vote resulting in passage of TPA. Of the 17 members, 16 are Republicans and one is a Democrat.

150225

Canadian Civil Society Group References Controversial Pharma Price Gouging To Argue Against TPP, CETA

Council Of Canadians Press Release

Previously Posted:
Ministerial To Be Extended At Least One Day; Gaps Remain On Big 3 Issues

150224

NC Senators Blast Proposed TPP Tobacco Carveout; Tillis Vows To Oppose, Push Against TPP If Included

Joint Press Release From Senators Thomas Tillis And Richard Burr

Sen. Tillis Floor Remarks

Previously Posted:
U.S. Formally Proposes Carveout Of Anti-Tobacco Measures From ISDS
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Existing Language

150220

Friends Of The Earth Says TPP Would Undermine UN Sustainable Development Goals

Friends Of The Earth Backgrounder

Friends Of The Earth Press Release

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TPP Talks Likely To Stretch To Weekend Despite Auto Progress, Levin To Travel To Atlanta

ATLANTA -- The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial taking place here is now considered increasingly likely to last beyond Friday (Oct. 2) due to continuing differences on dairy market access and monopoly protections for biologic drugs, despite key parties being close to a deal on the automotive rules of origin. Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters Thursday (Oct. 1) that the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Japan are “very close” on autos, but said they are waiting for progress in other...

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