NAM announced support for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, which concluded in October after 5+ years of negotiations. "After careful analysis," said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, "NAM will support the TPP." Timmons cited such benefits as opening markets and putting manufacturers in positions of strength with which to compete in "an important and growing region of the world." While recognizing said agreement as imperfect, Timmons vowed assistance on key issues.