Concluding a High Standard, Innovation-Maximizing TPP Agreement

The TransPacific Partnership (TPP) should be designed to maximize innovation in the United States and the other 11 participating Asia-Pacific countries. However, it will only do so if it both includes and holds the nations that sign it to the very highest standards, including those regarding intellectual property rights protection; liberalized trade in services; transparency and openness in government procurement; restrictions on preferential treatment toward state-owned enterprises; elimination of a host of non-tariff barriers, including barriers to foreign direct investment; and at least equal, if not greater, emphasis on enforcement as on market access.