TPP negotiators discuss amendments after US withdrawal
(VOVWORLD) -Chief negotiators of the 11 remaining countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement began two-day talks in Tokyo on Thursday to discuss changes and freezes to parts of the deal following the withdrawal of the US earlier this year.
Japanese chief negotiator Kazuyoshi Umemoto expressed his hope that countries would take a big step forward towards the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November in Vietnam.
He reaffirmed the significance of establishing a free and multilateral trade system based on high-standard rules in the Asia-Pacific which properly fits the 21st century. He added that it is also important to continue to pursue the possibility of the US returning to the framework and for that purpose it’s very important to implement the TPP as early as possible.