Time is running short to add countries to Asia-Pacific trade talks

Either way, the premise behind the TPP’s structure is to let additional countries sign on to the deal whenever they are ready, Chamber staff said. 

Still, the ultimate goal is to get them in while preserving “the integrity of the agreement.” 

The Chamber has expressed support for all three nations joining the talks and has outlined issues that each country would need to address to allow them to jump into the fluid negotiations. 

Thomas Donohue, president and chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, expressed his support earlier this week for Japan’s entry after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. 

“Japan’s entry would be a unique and game-changing opportunity for TPP, for U.S.-Japan strategic and economic relations and for the Japanese economy,” Donohue said. 

“I urge Prime Minister Noda and the government of Japan to continue working closely with the U.S. government in order to bring Japan into TPP on the same terms as the current partners.”

While he backs Japan’s entry, he said he hoped the nation would consider reforms in areas such as autos, which would bolster confidence among U.S. stakeholders.

Chamber staff said they got the impression that Noda is very committed to joining the talks and he is doing all he can to move forward. 

On Monday, President Obama also said he supports the move, although he said no decision had been made yet. 

“We instructed our teams to continue our consultation regarding Japan’s interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would benefit both our economies and the region,” Obama said at a joint news conference with Noda. 

Late last month, Mexican President Felipe Calderon urged U.S. officials to let his country join the talks during a speech at the Chamber. 

“In this very difficult time in the world economy, the world needs more trade and not less trade,” Calderon said. “That is why Mexico is pushing a lot to be part of the TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

Talks about the deal continue in Dallas next week. 

Chamber officials say that while it is difficult to predict when the TPP will be finished, there is a chance that it could be done this year, as planned. 

“Substance will drive this,” one staffer said. “Miracles happen every day and we’re praying we get this done this year,” they said. 

“From our perspective we want a comprehensive high-quality deal with a sense of urgency as well.”