Angel Valdes | January 10, 2023
The Minister of Agricultural Development, Augusto Valderrama, in an interview with Radio Panama, referred to the meeting he held with the United States Ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, on different trade issues, including the Trade Promotion Treaty (TPC).
On this point Valderrama said that “What is true is a situation regarding the renegotiation of the treaty (TPC) in which the United States considers that there are no alternatives, we continue to insist and we have four important items that are essential for us and that We have pointed it out to the ambassador and the government of the United States and so have the president and the chancellor with the Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken, the Secretary of Commerce, Minister Alfaro has also raised it, it is the case of pigs, rice, dairy products and poultry meat that are essential and represent more than 50% of the agricultural GDP of Panama and that not only from the agricultural point of view but also of national security for our country, a strategic ally of the United States, a A blow to these four sectors would be a negative blow to our economy, to our peace and to our stability, and that is why we have been having talks with the United States, pointing out that It is clear that our position is clear and that for us these 4 items represent an issue of agri-food security, food sovereignty and, above all, economic and social security.
The TPC, which has been in force since 2012, has as its objective the elimination of obstacles to trade, access to goods and services and favors private investment, in addition to favoring commercial products, including agricultural ones.
I also inform you that next January 27 a delegation from the United States will be advising us on the supervision and quality of our export products.
Valderrama hopes that during the meetings a favorable negotiating point for Panama can be reached “We have been having talks with the United States and we hope that our support leads to seeking solutions and we know that as a strategic country, Panama and the United States are forced to look for a solution in a positive way”.
