US: Studying ways to bring Japan into TPP quickly
23/05/2013 56
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The chief US negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, says participants are studying ways to bring Japan into the free trade talks as quickly as possible.
Barbara Weisel spoke at a business meeting on Monday, on the sidelines of the latest round of TPP talks in Lima, Peru. 11 Asia-Pacific countries are taking part in the talks.
Weisel said the participants remain divided over how to cut tariffs, protect the environment and intellectual property, and regulate state-owned enterprises.
She said negotiators should set priorities, and narrow down the number of issues to be discussed to a handful, before ministerial talks begin in the fall.
Weisel also said the participating nations are considering ways to ensure that Japan can join the negotiations as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Japanese leaders want the next round of TPP talks to start in late July. Japan is expected to receive approval to join the forum by then.
All 11 TPP participants have agreed that Japan should be admitted. But the US government is still in the process of securing congressional approval for the move.
The participants hope to reach a TPP accord by the end of this year.
May 21, 2013
Source: NHK
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