Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Peru’s Minister of Production Mercedes Aráoz

SANTIAGO, CHILE—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Peru’s Minister of Production during the Americas Competitiveness Forum in Santiago, Chile. This is the first meeting between Secretary Locke and Minister Aráoz.

Locke underscored the U.S. government’s commitment to the strong and growing U.S.-Peru bilateral relationship.

The two discussed issues critical to improving hemispheric competitiveness, including improved regional customs efficiency and increased focus on trade facilitation.

They also emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) as a mechanism to encourage continued bilateral collaboration that affords trade opportunities to businesses.

“We are working with the Peruvians to realize the full potential of the TPA to increase the competitiveness of our businesses—particularly small businesses—provide more choices for consumers and grow our economies by creating more jobs,” Locke said.

The U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement was signed in April 2006, and became effective in February 2009. U.S.-Peru merchandise two-way trade reached $12 billion in 2008, an increase of 36 percent from 2006. Over the same period, U.S. exports to Peru have grown by over 100 percent, from $2.9 billion in 2007 to $6.2 billion in 2008.