Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Fresno Tuesday singing the praises of the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership and its potential positive impact on farms in the valley.
Secretary Vilsack visit was to highlight the potential benefits of opening foreign markets to local agricultural products.
Vilsack says the TPP not only opens up the market for valley farmers by lowering foreign trade restrictions, build access to millions of new consumers, and level the playing field to make US produce more competitive.
Vilsack: “Tree nuts. Fruits and vegetables. Dairy market access. Most of the major commodities in this state will see tariff reductions or elimination in the countries that are part of the TPP."
Vilsack was invited to town by Congressman Jim Costa, a Democrat who says he will not decide how he will vote on the trade pact until he can read the whole agreement, which should be released in coming weeks.
Labor unions, and some leading presidential contenders have come out against the TPP saying it undercuts local workers, will drive down wages, and hurt the local economy in the long run.
