Chief negotiators from the 11 remaining signatories to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement started their three-day talks near Tokyo on October 30 to seek an agreement next week on the implementation of the pact without the US.
An overview of negotiation between 11 TPP countries in Tokyo in September (Source: the Japan Times/ VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Chief negotiators fromthe 11 remaining signatories to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreementstarted their three-day talks near Tokyo on October 30 to seek an agreement nextweek on the implementation of the pact without the US.
They gathered in Urayasu city in Chibaprefecture, seeking to make progress on reaching a consensus on which clausesto suspend implementing until the US returns to the deal.
While the negotiators aim to reach a deal afterrounds of talks on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam in November, concern has emerged since newPrime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern suggested her administration shouldseek to renegotiate the pact.
Host country Japan wants to make minimal changesto the pact to keep its "high-level standard”.
Currently, there have been requests to freezeimplementation of 50 clauses, centering on those introduced at the request ofthe US, a Japanese negotiation source said.
The TPP was signed in February 2016 byAustralia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru,Singapore, the US and Vietnam, covering around 40 percent of the global economybefore the US’s withdrawal earlier this year.-VNA
Chief negotiators from the 11 remaining member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal agreed to reconvene in late September in Japan, after three days of talks ended in Sydney on August 30.
Chief negotiators of the 11 remaining countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement began two-day talks in Tokyo, Japan on September 21 to discuss changes and freezes to parts of the deal following the withdrawal of the US earlier this year.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership nations have made progress toward a new free trade agreement slated for November following the US withdrawal from the pact.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Lim Jock Hoi is expected to become Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) after ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to nominate him for the post, official sources said.
Negotiators from the 11 remaining signatories to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact will hold a three-day meeting near Tokyo next week in pursuit of an agreement by November, the Japanese government said on October 24.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
An overview of negotiation between 11 TPP countries in Tokyo in September (Source: the Japan Times/ VNA) 
