TPP 11 chief negotiators start 2-day talks in Tokyo

January 22, 2018

Tokyo- The chief negotiators of 11 signatory countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership launched two-day talks in Tokyo on Monday to set out details of a review of the free trade agreement.

"I want to resolve the remaining items and finalize agreement documents to set an approximate signature day," Japanese economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at the start of the plenary meeting, calling for cooperation for an early signing and entry into force of a so-called TPP 11. The United States withdrew from the original 12-member pact early last year.

It marked the first meeting of its kind since Japan and 10 other signatories reached a broad accord in November last year in Danang, Vietnam, on the TPP 11.

Japan hopes to hold a signing ceremony by early March.

The key to progress in the talks would be whether other participants can convince Canada to soften its cautious stance toward the new pact.

The new deal will suspend some items included in the original 12-member TPP until Washington's possible return to the pact in the future.

The 11 member countries agreed on 20 items to be covered by the suspension in the November talks. A further two items are also expected to be suspended.

But discussions on a Canada-proposed exemption for cultural assets from TPP rules have so far made little progress.

In parallel with the plenary meeting, separate meetings to discuss exemptions for cultural assets will be held intermittently during the two-day talks.

If Canada keeps a tough stance on the issue, the remaining 10 countries may consider signing the new deal without the North American nation. Jiji Press