Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

The TPP partner countries are major global players in the trade of natural resources, accounting for 33% of the global marine catch and 34% of global timber and pulp production. WWF argues that without conservation measures, illegal and unsustainable trade undermines law-abiding businesses, drives corruption, and threatens biodiversity. Specifically, illegal fishing is estimated to cost between $10 billion and $23.5 billion annually, while illegal logging can depress global timber prices by up to 16%. The document recommends that the TPP prohibit trade in resources harvested in violation of national laws, enforce multilateral environmental agreements, and implement disciplines on subsidies that lead to overfishing.

• TPP partner countries hold a significant share of the global natural resource market, including eight of the top 20 fishing nations. In 2011, these countries contributed approximately 33% of the global marine catch and 33% of global fish product imports. Additionally, they account for 34% of global timber and pulp production and 24% of the total worldwide trade value for those products.
• Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing is estimated to account for 13% to 31% of the global catch, with an annual value between $10 billion and $23.5 billion. This activity distorts trade patterns and disadvantages fishermen in countries with strong fisheries management.
• Illegal timber trade significantly impacts the global economy and U.S. industry, with 15% to 30% of globally traded timber estimated to be illegally obtained. This availability of cheap illegal timber can lower global prices by as much as 16%, resulting in annual losses of up to $1 billion for the U.S. wood products industry.
• The illegal wildlife trade is one of the world's largest criminal enterprises, valued annually at $8 billion to $10 billion. This trade drives corruption and armed conflict; for example, high demand for rhino horns in Vietnam has contributed to a 3000% increase in poaching in South Africa over four years.
• WWF proposes that the TPP include binding conservation measures subject to the same dispute settlement as commercial chapters. These should include prohibiting trade in resources harvested in violation of national laws, enforcing multilateral environmental agreements, imposing disciplines on subsidies that cause overcapacity or overfishing, and implementing catch documentation to stop illegal fish from entering commerce.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/875/1nycyifra2_TPP_WWF_Feb_2014.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/875/1nycyifra2_TPP_WWF_Feb_2014.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/875/1nycyifra2_TPP_WWF_Feb_2014.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndnatural, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/875/1nycyifra2_TPP_WWF_Feb_2014.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }