The chief negotiators of 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries plan to meet in Hakone, Japan, in mid-July to discuss the future of the free trade deal without the United States.
Textiles-garment is among Vietnam's key export products to the US (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The chief negotiators of 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)countries plan to meet in Hakone, the Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa, inmid-July to discuss the future of the free trade deal without the UnitedStates, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
The planned meeting comes after the tradeministers of the 11 TPP states agreed on May 21 to complete preparatory work byNovember to put the deal into force quickly. In November, they will meet on themargins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum gathering in Vietnam.
The TPP was signed in February 2016 byAustralia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru,Singapore, the United States and Vietnam -- covering around 40 percent of theglobal economy.
However, US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the world'sbiggest economy from the TPP soon after taking office in January./.
Ministers from 11 countries joining the TPP are scheduled to gather in Hanoi on May 21, with Japan pushing for the free trade pact to be put into force as soon as possible without the US.
Ministers responsible for trade of the APEC member economies made their call for free and fair trade after the conclusion of the 23rd APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Hanoi on May 21.
The official US visit of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc from May 29-31 demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent policy on enhancing trade relations with the US, which has been Vietnam’s top trade partners for the past 10 consecutive years.
US President Donald Trump’s decision to visit Vietnam in November 2017 to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting marks a new milestone in bilateral relations since the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1995, according the website //asiaplomacy.com.
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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.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.