Trans-Pacific trade pact group in talks to add PH, Indonesia, UAE

TOKYO, Japan — Member countries of the trans-Pacific free trade pact will begin “preliminary talks” to add Indonesia, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates to the group, a joint ministerial statement said Friday. Aiming to lay the groundwork for formal accession negotiations, the 12 members of the pact, known formally as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, confirmed the policy during an online meeting. To join, applicants must meet various standards, including eliminating tariffs on a broad range of goods and adhering to rules on intellectual property protection, while the consent of all current member countries is […]... Keep on reading: Trans-Pacific trade pact group in talks to add PH, Indonesia, UAE