The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is one of the most ambitious and potentially transformative trade agreements in decades. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli stopped by USCIB’s offices in New York on December 16 for a discussion about TPP and how the agreement will benefit the Asia-Pacific and help carve a place for U.S. exports in the region.

The New York District Export Council, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and Business Forward joined USCIB for a White House Business Council briefing with Under Secretary Novelli, who provided on overview of TPP and outlined the provisions that will boost U.S. competitiveness, including the removal of data localization requirements, intellectual property protections and path-breaking commitments on labor and environmental standards.

“This is the place where markets are,” Novelli said, speaking about the Asia-Pacific and how TPP will liberalize trade in a region that is home to two-thirds of the global middle class.

Novelli noted that on environmental issues, the United States is very competitive in energy efficiency and clean energy, so TPP will provide an opportunity for U.S. exports of green products and services. She also mentioned that all twelve countries will be obliged to enact and enforce intellectual property laws, which benefits all businesses. And on China, Novelli stated that although China had not expressed interest in joining TPP, the agreement is a critical component of America’s foreign policy in Asia, as it sets new liberal trade rules in the region.

Attendees at the briefing included Joe Schoonmaker, chair of the New York District Export Council, Alex Tureman, programming director at Business Forward and Nancy Ploeger, president of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan Huneke, USCIB’s vice president of communications and public affairs, moderated the discussion.