Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said “Frankly speaking, I understand it will be considerably tough for the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP free trade agreement to take effect” at the TPP special committee of the House of Councilors on November 14.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the difficult situation surrounding the TPP agreement which was brought about by Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, who repeatedly stated in his election campaign that the United States would quickly drop out of the TPP if he moved into the White House.
At the same time, however, Shinzo Abe emphasized that his administration will continuously take leadership in making the TPP pact come into effect, saying, “Our efforts have never ended.”
The Prime Minister plans to join a summit of TPP member countries which is to be held in the capital of Peru, Rima, to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit opening there on November 19.
Abe told the TPP special committee that he will persuade leaders of TPP member countries to push forward with the ratification process.
Shinzo Abe also emphasized that his administration will not agree to renegotiate the TPP free trade deal, saying, “We will not harm our national interests for the purpose of keeping the United States engaged in the TPP framework.”
He is set to have the first meeting with the U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in New York on November 17.