NZ and Japan want TPPA in force next year
New Zealand and Japan have recommitted to pushing for an early implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that if successful would see the 11-nation trade pact - minus the United States - come into force next year.
Speaking after meeting his counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Wednesday, Prime Minister Bill English said he was pleased with the outcome of the talks
‘‘I think we got better than I’d expected. Prime Minister Abe is committed to implementing TPP on the timetable it’s on - they call it early implementation.’’
‘‘He’s keen to see, as we are, the next officials discussion next week to work on a plan implementation.’’
English said Abe clearly saw Japan playing a leadership role and it was standing together with New Zealand in trying to generate ‘‘momentum’’ and have others back implementation.
Only Japan and New Zealand have so far ratified the TPP, but others such as Singapore and for Brunei are seen as keen to see the TPP go ahead soon.
However others, including Vietnam, have reservations and some want a significant renegotiation of the text now the US had quit.
English said on the timetable built into the TPP it was supposed to come into action in the first half of next year.