In May Japan surprisingly indicated an interest in reviving the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Talks get under way in Japan this week without the US.
Donald Trump withdrew the US from the TPP as soon as he became president.
RNZ: Japan’s change of heart on TPP good for English
The commitment of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Trans-Pacific Partnership clearly came as a surprise to both Mr English and his Trade Minister Todd McClay.
In terms of Shinzo Abe’s sudden decision to get back on the TPP-train Mr English credits Mr McClay’s work getting around the region talking up the agreement and trying hard to convince the other remaining 10 nations that it’s worth sticking with.
It may be Mr McClay’s hard work that helped convince the Japanese, but it is also true that Japan is increasingly nervous about its rogue neighbour, North Korea.
The TPP is both a trade deal and a strategic deal and with Japan having it written into its constitution that it can’t use war as a means to settle international disputes, it needs strong allies – hence its obvious preference at having a deal which involves the United States.
Mr Abe wants the TPP text to remain as it is, which means the United States will get the benefits of the agreement even if it isn’t signed up.
But it also means it is easy enough for the United States to rejoin the grouping should it wish to in the future.
Either way the change of heart by the Japanese looked good for Mr English after his first major meeting in Asia as Prime Minister.
Now: TPP reps meet in Japan ahead of APEC
Countries that signed up to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have sent representatives to Japan to work on an agreement this week – without the United States.
They’re hoping to have a proposal ready for trade ministers at November’s APEC meeting in Vietnam.
With continuing uncertainty over trade policy under the Trump administration in the US, there’s rising interest in how a regional trade deal might increase security.
New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay said economic and strategic benefits went hand in hand.
He said countries that traded with each other and were integrated economically were usually good friends.
“If you look over a period of time, it’s not the only reason, but often that’s why regions have been destabilised – when you don’t have that balance around opportunity and growth.”
There was more to trade and trade agreements that just people buying and selling, he said.
If there is a change in government in September I wonder if there will be a change in approach to the TPP.
One of the points of opposition to the TPP was giving concessions to the US.
