USTR - Update on Trans-Pacific trade agreement negotiations 

March 15:   The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today commented on the announcement made by the Japanese Prime Minister expressing interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

The countries currently involved in the TPP negotiations are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.


The USTR this week announced that at the close of the 16th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the chief negotiators were on track toward the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement within the 2013 time frame envisioned by the country leaders.


According to the USTR release, the United States—through the TPP— is seeking, among other goals, to:


  • Establish a trade and investment framework
  • Expand U.S. trade in the Asia-Pacific region

The next round of TPP negotiations will be May 15-24, in Lima, Peru.



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