Australia Says TPP Could be Reached by Year End

Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said Tuesday it is possible for a basic agreement to be reached in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks by the end of this year if participating countries demonstrate their political will.

Speaking at symposium in Washington, Robb said they face “political pressures at home.”

In talks with reporters after the symposium, Robb indicated that progress has been made in the trade talks among the 12 participating countries saying that the landing zone is “pretty clear” for 90 percent of the negotiations.

But he added there are difficulties for the remaining 10 percent.

Tariff issues for agricultural products are “a sticking point,” Robb said, referring to the stalemated bilateral farm tariff talks between Japan and the United States.

The 12 countries are considering holding a ministerial meeting in Australia late this month to try to reach a broad accord in November

via Japan News

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