The US Secretary of Agriculture says a new international trade partnership will help farmers and ranchers in Illinois, if it gains congressional approval. But some Chicago representatives are already skeptical of the plan.
The controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, known as TPP, was reached last month.
But the details haven’t been released to congress yet.
US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the partnership will open new market opportunities for Illinois’ soybean, corn and pork industries among other things.
“We’re confident that we will see billions of additional dollars in ag products, processed food products, as a result of this TPP agreement,” Vilsack said.
But Illinois US Representative Daniel Lipinski criticizes the deal saying the pact will take away the country’s ability to enact environmental regulations.