Earlier this week, I discussed a report released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation demonstrating the need for providing strong intellectual property protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. With the next round of negotiations taking place in Virginia next month, today’s LinkPad looks at the latest buzz on this vital trade agreement.

• The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that U.S. Trade Representative Kirk will be traveling to Vietnam this weekend to discuss shared goals for conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership with Vietnamese officials.
• Reuters reports on the significance of U.S. Trade Representative Kirk’s visit to Southeast Asia to discuss the U.S. plan for economic engagement in the region.
• Mike Godfrey of Global Tax News provides a detailed breakdown of the ITIF report that emphasized the need for the TPP becomes a gold-standard trade agreement.
• In an article for The Hill, Vicki Needman discusses TPP with Lael Brainard, the U.S. Treasury Department Under Secretary for International Affairs.

As discussions on the TPP agreement continue, stay tuned for Lilly’s take on how the USTR can push for provisions that promote innovation, protect American jobs, and keep the United States competitive in the global marketplace.