Trade Promotion Authority passed in the Senate yesterday and is now on its way to the President’s desk for his signature. The majority of the nation’s farm groups hailed the passage. Nick Giordano, International Trade Counsel for the National Pork Producers Council says this will now tee up the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Chief Ag Negotiator Darci Vetter with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office says the TPP players are very close to inking a deal and are working through some of the last remaining hurdles. However, the passage of TPA will be key in finalizing those negotiations.

She says with the passage of TPA she’ll be able to get back to the table in the coming weeks with all the countries involved in the TPP talks to push the deal over the finish line.