Global Automakers Welcomes Japan's Participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free-Trade Talks

WASHINGTON--April 12, 2013: Global Automakers is pleased with today's announcement by the United States Trade Representative welcoming Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade talks.  The Association supports the expansion of international trade and has encouraged the broadest possible participation in the TPP, including that of Japan, Canada, and Mexico. 

"As the third largest economy in the world, Japan's participation in the TPP is important because it will expand trade and investment opportunities to the benefit of consumers in all of the participating countries," said Michael J. Stanton, president and CEO of Global Automakers.

Global Automakers' members have invested more than $40.2 billion into U.S. auto production, R&D, and sales.  These companies also directly employ over 85,000 Americans and indirectly create hundreds of thousands of dealer and supplier jobs across the United States.  

"Free trade agreements have helped drive global competition," added Stanton.  "Our members today build 50 percent of the vehicles they sell here in America and now export over 300,000 U.S.-built vehicles annually."