Global trade presents economic and policy opportunities and challenges. EPA works with domestic and international partners to address policy challenges, reduce the environmental impacts, and maximize the benefits of trade.
- EPA Role in the Trade Agreement Process
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
Developing Environment-related Provisions in Proposed Trade Agreements
EPA works with the USTR and other government agencies to develop and review environment-related provisions of proposed trade agreements and build the capacity of U.S. trading partners to develop, implement, and enforce sound environmental standards.
EPA has participated in the negotiation of environmental provisions in the following thirteen trade agreements:
This includes reviewing the environmental elements, including environmental chapters, in the thirteen trade agreements featured to the right.
Implementing Environmental Provisions
EPA works with the State Department, trade partners and others to develop projects and programs that implement environmental provisions contained in trade agreements and can serve as the basis for environmental capacity building, technical assistance and knowledge sharing.
For more information on EPA-specific activities, please see the following links:
- NAFTA: The North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
- Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), including Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen.
Reviewing Environmental Effects of Proposed Agreements
EPA works with USTR, the President's Council on Environmental Quality and other federal partners to review the effects on the domestic environment that could result from implementation of the agreement.
In 1992, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico, was finalized. This groundbreaking agreement created the largest free trade area in the world when it was signed. Today, EPA works with a number of institutions established by NAFTA and related agreements to address environmental issues in the North American region.
The North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), a side agreement to the NAFTA, created a mechanism in which any non-governmental organization or person in any of the three countries can assert that one of the Parties (i.e., the United States, Canada, and Mexico) is failing to enforce its environmental laws.
In addition, the NAAEC established the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, promote the effective enforcement of environmental law, and to monitor the environmental effects of the NAFTA. Learn more about EPA’s work with the CEC.
NAFTA also prompted the creation of the North American Development Bank (NADB) and its sister institution, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) . Learn more about EPA’s work with the BECC-NADB.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a proposed free trade agreement for the Asia-Pacific region. Negotiations began in Melbourne on March 2010 and will continue through the end of 2012. EPA, which is a key member of the U.S. interagency team negotiating provisions of the TPP agreement, will focus on issues related to the environment.
The potential parties to the TPP include the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The TPP will expand an existing trade agreement between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore.
The Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) provides policy advice to the EPA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on issues pertaining to the nexus between the environment and trade. TEPAC is comprised of representatives of non-profit and private sector organizations.
Co-hosted by the U.S. Trade Representative and the EPA Administrator, TEPAC meets twice a year. Members are briefed on environment and trade related issues and can provide input and guidance. EPA uses this forum to update, and receive feedback from, TEPAC members on environmental issues of importance.
SmartWay is a public/private collaboration between the USEPA and the freight transportation industry that helps freight shippers, carriers, and logistics companies improve fuel-efficiency and save money.
EPA's SmartWay International program works with international stakeholders to help countries develop their own freight sustainability programs. The issue is vital due to the increasing connectivity of the global economy through global supply chain, creating concerns about energy security, economic vitality and climate change from transportation.
- Back to: Environment, Trade and Finance
For additional information on EPA's trade programs, contact:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460