TPP Nations to Give Up on Guam Ministerial Meeting

Guam, May 20 (Jiji Press)--The 12 countries engaged in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks will give up on a ministerial meeting which they have sought to hold in Guam, informed sources said Wednesday. They will drop the plan for the meeting for a broad TPP accord because it is uncertain whether the U.S. Congress will approve legislation on the Trade Promotion Authority, which would give President Barack Obama "fast track" authority to negotiate trade deals. The countries have aimed to strike a broad TPP agreement by holding a ministerial meeting after talks between their chief negotiators in Guam, which started Saturday. In the absence of the TPA, most countries refrain from making political decisions, the sources said. Chief negotiators are holding intensive talks on Wednesday on thorny issues, such as rules for intellectual property rights protection. They were to narrow down by Monday matters to be discussed by ministers for a possible ministerial meeting on Tuesday, according to the sources. The chief negotiators talks may be extended because of stalled discussions on such matters as protection periods for data on medicines, with some members strongly opposing the United States which does not compromise, the sources said. Since the nations intend to show their final cards at a meeting for a conclusion, as Japanese TPP minister Akira Amari has said, they apparently are likely to arrange a ministerial meeting in June or later after being assured of the passage of the TPA legislation. END