Thailand to decide on TPP participation around April, says Japan minister

[webfact]

Thailand to decide on TPP participation around April, says Japan minister

KYODO

 

Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura (left) holds talks Monday in Tokyo with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

 

Thailand will likely decide whether to join a revised Trans-Pacific Partnership around April, economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Monday.

 

Nishimura, the government’s point man on the TPP, told reporters after meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak in Tokyo that he hopes the current members of the free trade pact will decide to start accession talks with Thailand at a ministerial meeting this summer.

 

Cabinet ministers from the TPP economies are expected to gather in Mexico around August, according to officials. The pact, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, entered into force in December 2018 with 11 members after the United States withdrew in January 2017.

 

Full story: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/17/business/thailand-tpp-participation-april-japan/#.XksD4hMzYUE

 

-- The Japan Times 2020-02-18

[Emdog]

On the plus side, this puts Thai government decision making ahead of the USA, though I admit the bar is rather low

[TheAppletons]

Just now, Emdog said:

On the plus side, this puts Thai government decision making ahead of the USA, though I admit the bar is rather low

  How so?  Thailand hasn't decided yet, USA has already decided to reject it.  

[Emdog]

Thailand is considering joining. Trump simply pulled US out, leaving field wide open for China influence, which China has done. Nice deal, Don.

[TheAppletons]

23 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Thailand is considering joining. Trump simply pulled US out, leaving field wide open for China influence, which China has done. Nice deal, Don.

  Yes, Chinese influence has gone viral.