Stephanie Lester, vice president of international trade issued the following statement: "RILA and our members welcome Mexico as a new negotiating partner in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP is intended to be a platform to expand trade with willing countries and enhance global partnerships. We look forward to Mexico joining the dialogue and discussing constructive ways to modernize the NAFTA model to more effectively promote trade and investment in TPP, particularly in apparel and footwear. We also encourage TPP negotiators to continue their good work to finalize a comprehensive, high-standard TPP agreement this year."

RILA is the trade association of the world's largest retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5tr in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

Source: RILA