The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement has undergone 20 rounds of formal negotiations for nearly 5 years. According to the roadmap, TPP negotiations were started in 2011 and ended in 2013. However, due to disagreements over such issues as agriculture, limited protection and market opening, TPP negotiations cannot be concluded as scheduled. 12 economies are yet to reach consensus on a free trade agreement.
Quickening negotiation process
When asked about the possibility of concluding negotiations in 2015 or not, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said state leaders do not give a specific timeline but their statements show their serious determination to finish negotiations as soon as possible.
Negotiators agree on most contents. Although there are disagreements, joining countries have determined settlement methods to achieve inclusive and balanced results. This is an important matter that 12 economies need to focus on and promote to achieve ambitious commitment packages in all aspects of market access negotiations.
The biggest challenge to current negotiations is the access to agricultural and service markets. This requires negotiators to proceed more negotiation rounds in the future.
According to many economists, the soon or late conclusion of TPP negotiations largely depends on the United States. Recently, US President Barack Obama submitted the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to the Congress for consideration and ratification to quickly conclude TPP negotiations. Professor Jeffrey Schott, a leading expert on TPP at Peterson Economics Institute (Washington DC), said TPA will be highly likely to be adopted by the Congress in early 2015, pinning hopes for the negotiation conclusion in the first half of 2015.
Hard negotiations with US
Vietnamese negotiators take part in with a very positive and constructive attitude and defend their arguments but they are also willing to show flexibility to promote negotiations. Thus, Vietnam is highly appreciated by other TPP negotiators. Vietnam bilaterally negotiated with Australia, Japan, Mexico and other countries but it got stuck with key partner, the United States.
Vietnam directed its core interests in apparels and footwear while the US required a wider opening of service market, protection of intellectual property rights, goods or government procurement. Other disputes included State enterprises, wildlife conservation and implementation of Cites Convention.
Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Khanh said the biggest difficulty is that the US can impose a trade sanction or revoke privileges if Vietnam fails to comply with comprehensive enforcement principle for a very objective reason. Vietnam expects talks for settlement rather than sanctions. What Deputy Minister Khanh said showed a wide gap in Vietnam - US negotiations. He did not rule out the possibility that the final decision might be made by the highest level.
Hưong Ly
Vietnamese
