Kasich's Visit to White House Encouraging Support for Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement

Ohio groups weigh in

CHRIS HENNEY, PRESIDENT & CEO, OHIO AGRIBUSINESS ASSOCIATION

“The Ohio AgriBusiness Association appreciates Governor Kasich’s leadership in working to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“The TPP will eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports, strengthen trade rules, and provide new market access commitments for U.S. agricultural exports to all 11 TPP partner countries. Here in Ohio, TPP would increase trade for a range of agricultural products, including pork, soybeans, beef and processed foods.

“Countries have already begun negotiating and implementing bilateral agreements without waiting for the United States to complete action. If the U.S. fails to enact TPP, the trade situation will not remain the same, but will lead to declining net exports and market share in important markets.

“With so much at stake, we applaud Governor Kasich for stepping past partisan politics to advance TPP and ultimately grow our economy.”

ADAM SHARP, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OHIO FARM BUREAU

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership provides a great opportunity for Ohio’s farm families and the 14 percent of Ohio’s workforce who are employed in the food and farm sector. Ohio Farm Bureau applauds the bipartisan leadership of President Obama and Gov. Kasich to secure passage of TPP.

“Gov. Kasich understands that free, fair trade creates well-paying jobs in food processing, transportation, manufacturing and other industries that strengthen Ohio’s rural and urban economies.

“Ohio is the 10th largest exporter of farm products, which brings more than $4 billion in revenue to our state. That income will grow with better access to the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. We join Gov. Kasich and the President in encouraging Congress to pass TPP.”

ANDREW E. DOEHREL, PRESIDENT & CEO, OHIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“We are pleased to see Gov. Kasich at the White House today calling for the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Trade is critical to the success of many sectors of Ohio’s economy, and Ohio already exports tens of billions of dollars annually to TPP countries. The TPP will open new markets for these goods and services, helping our companies export more and produce more, leading to more economic growth and job creation right here in Ohio.”

ADAM GRAHAM, PRESIDENT, OHIO SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

“The Ohio Soybean Association appreciates Governor Kasich’s leadership in elevating rural job creation as a top priority in Washington, DC. TPP will improve the lives of American farm families like mine.

“TPP will expand U.S. food and agricultural exports, increase farm income, generate more rural economic activity, and promote job growth. The agreement goes further to level the playing field on labor and environmental standards than any other previous trade agreement. U.S. food and agricultural exports totaled more than $133 billion in 2015 and supports more than one million U.S. jobs, with the TPP region accounting for more than $57 billion of that total.

“Soybean farmers will benefit because TPP will enhance market access and give us a clear competitive advantage over our competitors in Brazil and Argentina. In addition, TPP opens new markets for U.S. pork, beef, poultry and dairy farmers, who are U.S. soybean farmers’ largest customers.”

ELIZABETH HARSH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OHIO CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION

“Gov. Kasich has made economic development his number one priority and knows that for Ohio and Ohio’s Beef Producers to become stronger our businesses – and the jobs that rely on trade – must have access to these emerging markets that are part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Every day that goes by without the passage of the TPP, cost U.S. Beef Producers $400,821 and puts beef producers at a disadvantage in the global market place. We support Governor Kasich and his efforts to push for the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

BILL KNAPKE, PRESIDENT, OHIO PORK COUNCIL

“Ohio’s Pork Producers rely on a strong economy and open markets to sell our products. That is why we commend Governor Kasich for his leadership on pushing for the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Ohio already has significant trade and investment with the 11 other nations who want to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and getting this done will only strengthen trade and investment relations for Ohio.”

ERIC BURKLAND, PRESIDENT, THE OHIO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership, under fair rules, can be a tool to open markets and support good, well-paying Ohio jobs, and we thank the governor for his leadership.”