TPP implementation still on schedule: PMs
New Zealand and Japan have recommitted to pushing for an early implementation of the TransPacific 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 for implementation.’’
Ministers from the so-called TPP-11 countries will meet in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday – on the margins of the Apec ministerial meeting – amid expectations they will commit to examining how to implement the deal.
That could see more progress when Apec leaders gather in Vietnam in November.
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 ratified the TPP.
English said regarding the timetable built into the TPP, it was supposed to come into action in the first half of next year.
Abe had made it clear to him that on a reasonable timetable ‘‘you have to retain the current text’’.
‘‘But allowing there are nine other countries ... they may have views about that that need to be tested.’’
That would be part of the role New Zealand, represented by Trade Minister Todd McClay, will be playing to test that.
‘‘For those who want to see it early - as I put to him - there can’t be any more changes’’, other than some technical changes to allow implementation without the US.
Australia has reportedly suggested the patent period on biological pharmaceuticals – a key factor for the US – be cut from eight to five years.
English said he and Abe had not discussed that.
While Australia and New Zealand had some preferences for changes, ‘‘I think everyone will come to see that getting it implemented can only happen if there isn’t some renegotiation’’.
Abe said that ‘‘as the flag bearers of free trade we shall maintain close co-ordination and cooperation and we will aim at early realisation of TPP and early conclusion of a high-quality RCEP’’.
RCEP is a parallel free-trade agreement led by China.
Abe said he welcomed ‘‘from the bottom of my heart’’ news that New Zealand had ratified the TPP last week.
Meanwhile, the two prime ministers said they also discussed North Korea and Japan’s concerns about its recent test-firing of missiles.
Like Japan, New Zealand wanted the United Nations to tighten up on its sanctions against North Korea - an issue discussed at an emergency Security Council meeting on Wednesday but which so far had not been resolved.
Meanwhile, English joined NZ Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew to announce the All Blacks would play a test in Japan in November 2018.
He wrapped up his two-day visit to Tokyo at a private dinner with Abe.
He will head to the northern island of Hokkaido before flying to Hong Kong for a round of meetings today and tomorrow.
The prime minister returns to New Zealand on Sunday.