Japan made its debut on Tuesday as the 12th member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations in Malaysia, which will create one of the world’s largest free-trade areas. With only three days left in the latest round, Japan will only be involved in talks about intellectual property rights, environmental protection, and legal and institutional issues, not market approaches for which negotiations already concluded last week. Japan is seeking ways to remove trade barriers to boost exports of cars and other manufactured goods but is committed to protecting its farm products by retaining the tariffs it imposes on imports. Japanese negotiators will meet with other countries’ delegations separately to gather information and brief them on Tokyo’s point of view. Japan and the other 11 members of the TPP talks - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam hope to reach a consensus by October and sign the … [Read more...] about Japan joins Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations
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Trans-Pacific Partnership could raise stakes for Vietnam’s sick
A pharmacy of Cho Ray, a major Ho Chi Minh City-based hospital, was packed on a recent Tuesday afternoon. The crowd, mostly poor people from southern provinces (many clad in pajamas), looked around nervously as pharmacists in white coats shouted their names and totals over a loudspeaker. Some had to pay as little as VND78,000 (less than $4) and others as much as VND2 million ($94). The poorest among them scoured their pockets and bags for change, turned to the relatives standing next to them or began making telephone calls in search of a loan. “My bill is VND266,000, which is already a big headache given that I have to take a bus here every month,” said Nguyen Van Tien, a shrimp farmer in an outlying district in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, where quality medical care is more or less non-existent. Tien said his ability to pay for the treatment for a benign bladder tumor remains as uncertain as the weather. “I don’t know what will happen if the treatment … [Read more...] about Trans-Pacific Partnership could raise stakes for Vietnam’s sick
Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal signed, but years of negotiations still to come
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, one of the world's biggest multinational trade deals, was signed by 12 member nations on Thursday in New Zealand, but the massive trade pact will still require years of tough negotiations before it becomes a reality. The TPP, a deal which will cover 40 percent of the world economy, has already taken five years of negotiations to reach Thursday's signing stage. The signing is "an important step" but the agreement "is still just a piece of paper, or rather over 16,000 pieces of paper until it actually comes into force," said New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at the ceremony in Auckland. The TPP will now undergo a two-year ratification period in which at least six countries - that account for 85 percent of the combined gross domestic production of the 12 TPP nations - must approve the final text for the deal to be implemented. The 12 nations include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States … [Read more...] about Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal signed, but years of negotiations still to come
Trans-Pacific Partnership just officially signed
The Hanoitimes - Economic ministers and and chief negotiators from 12 member nations signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement with the presence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. The signing of TPP Agreement is a milestone promising that TPP will come into effect on time The signing ceremony took place in Auckland, New Zealand on the morning of February 4. Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Vu Huy Hoang lead Vietnamese negotiator participated at the signing ceremony. Along with Viet Nam, the agreement’s initial signatories comprise Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, and the United States. At the signing ceremony, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said his country was proud to be the host and an active member throughout the negotiation process. The TPP will help liberalise trade across the region and bring benefits to all members, he said. US President Barack Obama also welcomed the signing of the pact. … [Read more...] about Trans-Pacific Partnership just officially signed
Trans Pacific Partnership agreement: from signed paper to reality
(VOVworld) - The National Assembly External Relations Committee and the US Agency for International Development held a seminar in Vinh Phuc province on Friday to provide comprehensive information about the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said it was a good timing to share information, following the signing ceremony of all 12 member states. She praised their negotiation efforts and expected more trade activities with the US and other partners and more foreign investment coming to Vietnam. Delegates discussed opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam, competitiveness, and institutional reform. … [Read more...] about Trans Pacific Partnership agreement: from signed paper to reality