WASHINGTON – U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that the United States and the eight other countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement have extended an invitation to Canada to join the TPP negotiations.

In addition to the United States, the current TPP countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Mexico was invited to join the negotiations on Monday.

“Inviting Canada to join the TPP negotiations presents a unique opportunity for the United States to build upon this already dynamic trading relationship. Through TPP, we are bringing the relationship with our largest trading partner into the 21st century,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The TPP will tie the United States more closely to “the vibrant economies of the Asia-Pacific region,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a press release.

The TPP countries have completed 12 rounds of negotiations. The next round is scheduled for July 2-10 in San Diego.