Satomi Tamai – Singapore Ministers from the 12 countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, who wrapped up a four-day meeting in Singapore on It’s   Tuesday, December 10, seemed to lack a sense of urgency in meeting their end-of-year goal for an accord, despite expectations which grew prior to the meeting. But they said in a joint statement that they have made “substantial progress” towards completing the agreement and will continue “intensive work” toward sealing the pact, adding that they will meet again next month. In a press conference held after the meeting, United States Trade Representative Michael Froman called the meeting “tremendously successful and productive,” saying … Continue reading →

  After failing to reach agreement by the year end, ministers from the 12 member countries engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks decided to meet again in January. Farmers interviewed by The Japan Agricultural News unanimously voiced concern over future TPP negotiations and the Japanese government’s stance amid growing pressure from the United States to open markets. “The U.S. is too strong-armed,” said Koichi Kakizaki, 61, who grows rice on a 20-hectare land in Kaneyama, Yamagata Prefecture. “It seems like the U.S. is telling Japan and other countries to become its followers.” “We farmers think that joining the TPP talks in itself was wrong,” Kakizaki said, urging the government … Continue reading →