Japan to step up farm reforms following TPP-11 deal: minister

TOKYO, Nov. 12 — Japan is stepping up efforts on farm reforms “with a necessary review,” following a political agreement to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States, Agriculture Minister Ken Saito has said.

“The TPP-11 agreement is part of the implementation process to bring into effect the original TPP as early as possible,” Saito told reporters at a Nov. 12 press conference.

The minister stressed this way allows for the United States to come back to the deal if it wishes. The U.S. withdrew from the TPP on Jan. 23.

Saito also said “We will explain to farmers more details about the TPP-11 agreement” as well as the Japan-EU free trade agreement.

Trade ministers from the remaining 11 TPP members have reached a political agreement to keep the trade deal alive without the U.S., despite Canada’s last-minute balking at the talks.

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