TPP ministers talk in Singapore
VGP - The TPP Ministerial Meeting is taking place in Singapore from February 22-25 to talk about issues such as investment, financial services, State-owned enterprises, E-commerce, customs, intellectual property rights, labor, environment, agriculture and textiles.
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A view of the container port in Singapore on December 7, 2013 - Photo: AFP |
The Viet Nam Plus was quoted as saying that Japan and the United States are the biggest economies in the grouping but are seeking agreement on their key bilateral issues – cars for the US and farm produce such as rice, beef, pork and diary for Japan.
Many observers said that they expected an in-principle deal to be unveiled during US President Barack Obama’s visit to Asia in April. But even if negotiators reach a draft agreement, passage of the TPP for many countries could drag on for more than a year.
However, experts all argued that there are economic benefits for all the participants, which now have a total population of more than 792 million and account for nearly 40% of global GDP and about one-third of all world trade.
Ministers from the 12 TPP countries namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Viet Nam have gathered here for the meeting./.
By Kim Loan
