Froman Talks TPP, Trade Facilitation Agreement at Southeast Asia Summit
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership with high-ranking officials from Australia, Brunei, Malaysia and New Zealand on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic ministerial in recent days, the Office of the USTR said…
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late on Aug. 24. Absent from the USTR statement was any mention a meeting with Vietnamese officials, and the agency didn't provide further details on the specifics of the talks. Froman also pushed ASEAN parties to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the World Trade Organization's December ministerial in Nairobi. A number of important Asian countries, including ASEAN members, have recently pledged quick ratifications (see 1506150025). The WTO is aiming for TFA ratifications from two-thirds of members, the threshold for implementation, by the Nairobi ministerial. Only 12 countries including the U.S., have so far ratified (see 1508060016).