TPP briefings to be held on APEC sidelines
Kyodo News | Oct. 27, 2010
TPP briefings to be held on APEC sidelines
Japan and three other countries interested in a U.S.-backed trans-Pacific free-trade agreement will exchange views on Nov. 9 in Yokohama with nine nations currently negotiating enlarging the pact, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Tuesday.
Japan, China, Canada and the Philippines will be briefed on progress in the ongoing talks to expand the four-member Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings, he said.
Whether to join the TPP has aroused political controversy in Japan, with some legislators concerned that it could deal a serious blow to the heavily protected domestic farm sector, as the pact in principle requires member states to eliminate all tariffs, and major farm exporters, including United States and Australia, are among the countries bidding to sign it.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has instructed members of his Cabinet to accelerate preparatory work within the government for Japan to consider joining the TPP negotiations.
Maehara said the briefing session will take place ahead of a ministerial meeting of the nine countries on Nov. 11 in Yokohama on the fringes of APEC talks.
Noting that the nine countries are scheduled to hold a series of meetings toward next year’s APEC process in the United States, which will culminate in a summit in November in Hawaii, Maehara said, "Doors for the TPP are closing." Washington hopes to conclude the TPP negotiations at that time.
"If we forgo a political decision now and reach a conclusion to join the TPP later, we will not be able to take part in the talks," he told a news conference. "If we are to join the rule-making process, we should not defer a decision."
