Feds seek intellectual property changes

TRADE

OTTAWA • Canadian negotiators are pushing for three key changes to the original Trans- Pacific Partnership as leaders of the remaining countries interested in reviving the controversial treaty prepare to meet this week.

A senior government official says Ottawa’s negotiating team is seeking modifications to the original TPP deal in many areas — but primarily in the intellectual- property provisions, its approach on cultural exemptions and Canada’s supply management system for dairy, poultry and eggs.

The 11 remaining TPP economies have moved ahead with talks in recent months in an effort to resurrect the Pacific Rim deal after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew earlier this year.

The pact is expected to be a central topic this week in Da Nang, Vietnam, at a meeting of leaders from the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation bloc, which will include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the other 10 TPP leaders.

During his weeklong visit to Asia, Trudeau will also hold an official visit with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and travel to the Philippines to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila.

On TPP, International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne told The Canadian Press he wants a better deal before he signs a revamped version of the deal.

Negotiators, he said, will be seeking the suspension of some provisions that were part of the original agreement.

Champagne also said Canada has been pursuing improvements to the TPP, which was negotiated by the previous Conservative government, through side letters and possible work programs with Japan.

He did not get into specifics on which parts of the deal he would like to see changed.

Champagne, who will also participate in APEC meetings this week in Vietnam, did say Canada is pushing for the revised pact to contain “progressive” chapters on the environment, labour and gender equality. He added that New Zealand’s new government is also looking at a similar approach.

“We’ve been trying to stay at the table making sure that we push the progressive elements,” he said.