WORLD
Japan wants TPP to take effect in early 2019
Baku, July 20, AZERTAC
Japan is calling on member nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement to step up efforts to bring the pact into force early next year, according to Japan’s NHK.
The chief negotiators from the 11 countries began a two-day meeting on Wednesday in Hakone, west of Tokyo.
Japan's chief negotiator Kazuyoshi Umemoto, who is chair of the talks, said he wants preparations for bringing the TPP into force in early 2019 to start at the current meeting.
The member nations agreed on a revised TPP deal in March, following the withdrawal of the United States. Mexico and Japan have completed their domestic procedures for ratifying the deal. The TPP takes effect if at least four of the 11 countries ratify it.
The officials are expected to confirm how their preparations are proceeding. They're also likely to discuss how preliminary talks should be held with countries or regions interested in joining the pact.
Japan apparently aims to increase momentum toward swiftly bringing the TPP into force ahead of its trade talks with the US, which is taking a protectionist stance.
