Thomas Grennes: Partnership would help N.C.

In his zeal to dismiss the proposed Transpacific Partnership agreement, Don Nonini in his July 9 Point of View “A trade pact that threatens democracy” made a glaring omission. He failed to mention the gains to North Carolina exporters from reducing barriers to their sales in Asia.

In their procurement of products, Japanese (and the other Asian partners) government agencies can and do discriminate against products produced in North Carolina and the rest of the United States. They buy local Japanese products even when N.C. products are cheaper and higher quality.

Removing this discrimination would benefit the owners and employees of SAS, Cree and many farms that export pork, soybeans and other agricultural products.

Is the writer aware of these benefits to state businesses from the Transpacific Partnership? If so, why is he silent on such a crucial point? Both countries gain from removing barriers to voluntary trade.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Thomas Grennes: Partnership would help N.C.."