Tag Archives: TPP

TPP discusses UK membership.

October 2, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
united kingdom marching band
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According to the Kyodo news, the current 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) began discussing the United Kingdom’s bid to join the trade pact. If approved, the UK will be the 12th member since the creation of the TPP in 2018. At the time of this post, China and Taiwan have also submitted applications to join the free trade agreement.

While typically known as the TPP, the official name is called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. The chair of the organization rotates and the current chair is Japan.

Entry to the CPTPP requires applicant countries to revise their domestic laws and regulations to meet TPP criteria. If approved, the UK will join Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Taiwan’s CPTPP application followed by China’s CPTPP application.

September 17, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
city during nighttime
Photo by Timo Volz on Pexels.com

According to a Reuters article, Taiwan’s economy minister, Mei-hua Wang, voiced concern last week after China’s “sudden” decision to apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) following Taiwan’s application.

In response, the Taiwan economy minister claims China’s current policies are counter to the principles of free trade and transparency expected by CPTPP members – such as China’s use of import bans and potential inability to meet the high standards required of CPTPP participating countries.

According to the Reuters article, one such motivation for China’s sudden application is because China views Taiwan as part of its territory and does not want Taiwan to join before they join.

The CPTPP was originally going to be known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) but the trade agreement was drastically changed in 2017 when former President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement. This led to creation of the current CPTPP linking the following countries: Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Besides Taiwan and China, Britain is also applying for membership.

Lastly, Reuters writes Taiwan has been heartened by recent progress towards trade agreements with the United States and the European Union, which are both frustrated with China’s lack of progress in opening its economy and are keen to show their support for Taiwan’s democracy and much freer market policies.

Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

December 15, 2020 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Hsinchu, Taiwan.

The Obama administration supported the US’s participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a multilateral trade agreement between the US and 11 other nations: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. When President Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, he fulfilled his campaign promise and withdrew from the TPP.

Following the US withdrawal – the remaining nations named the trade deal the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) linking Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

This past week, Taiwan announced they will submit an application to join the CPTPP. New member applications are required to hold informal talks with existing member and reach a consensus before they can apply.

One potential roadblock for Taiwan’s entry into the CPTPP could be China’s joint application to join the CPTPP.

If you have any questions about the TPP, CPTPP or any other trade agreement – contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Japan-US Trade Pact in effect starting January 1, 2020.

January 31, 2020 By in international trade, Japan, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Japan - Fuji

Mt. Fuji in the background, source: Jane Chang

The Japan-U.S. trade agreement started in April 2019, and starting January 1st, comes into effect, resulting in an immediate cut in tariffs on American farm products and a variety of Japanese industrial goods. Unfortunately, the trade agreement does not include passenger cars and auto parts. In addition to a trade agreement, the US and Japan reached an agreement on digital trade. As the US pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, this trade agreement was crucial for continued US/Japan trade.

Some terms of the trade deal include a reduction in import duty of US beef from 38.5% to 26.6%, with the ultimate duty rate of 9% in 2033. Other duties on cheese, wine, pork will eventually reach zero. In return, US duties on Japanese air conditioner parts and fuel cells were also removed as part of the deal.

While this current trade deal does not address import duties on cars and parts from Japan, second round talks with Washington (set for April 2020) may result in a trade deal. But the United States maintains import duties on cars and auto parts from Japan, despite strong calls for their abolition by the Japanese side.

We have been keeping up with this new trade deal, if you are wondering how it may impact your business, give us a call or text at 832-896-6288 or send us an email to David Hsu at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or work official email: dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Taiwan seeks entry into CPTPP

October 13, 2019 By in trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Ship Exiting Harbor - Tony Tan

Credit: Tony Tan

As reported by the Central News Agency in Taiwan – Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said she hopes Japan will support Taiwan’s admission into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Since the US’s withdrawal, Japan has led the trade initiative and President Tsai hopes the strengthening ties between the two nations will help Taiwan enter the CPTPP.
Part of this recent push could be related to the recent loss of two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies – Pacific island nations of Kiribati and the Soloman Islands. The loss of these two allies is the result of a pressure campaign by China and reduces Taiwan’s diplomatic allies from 17 to 15.

Potential US Japan deal looks to boost US agriculture exports.

September 7, 2019 By in Japan, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

selective focus photo of cheese and grater on plate

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

As promised during his campaign, President Trump withdrew the US from the Trans Pacific Partnership – leaving Canada, Mexico and Australia as the major players; opting instead to enter into bilateral agreements with individual countries.
After the TPP took effect this January, US farm exports to Japan dropped by 2% for the first half of the year, with a projected annual net farm income loss of $4.4 billion annually. This could be due to US exports of beef to Japan now subject to a 38.5% duty, ground pork at 20% and some cheeses at 40%. The lack of a trade deal has also impacted
Japan’s exporters of steel and aluminum to the US. The President has previously threatened Japan with duties on auto imports.
The US and Japan have reached an agreement in principle expect to make the trade deal official in the upcoming months.

Canada’s Global Affairs consults whether South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the UK should join CPTPP.

August 13, 2019 By in UK, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Global Affairs Canada organization includes individuals, businesses (including SMBs), industry associations, experts, consultants, academics, civil society organization, labour unions, governments, indigenous groups, students and youth and other interested Canadian stakeholders.

In late July, Global Affairs Canada started discussions whether South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP”).

An announcement was published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1. Global Affairs Canada has has begun soliciting comments for whether these countries (and China) should join the CPTPP. The deadline for submissions is midnight, August 25, 2019.

The announcement asks for the following information:

1. Contributor’s name and address and, if applicable, the name of the contributor’s organization, institution or business;
2. The specific issues being addressed; and
3. Where possible, precise information on the rationale for the positions taken, including any significant impact it may have on Canada’s domestic or international interests.

Additionally, they would like feedback on specific markets that Canadians and businesses would support entry to the CPTPP.

The full text of the announcement and additional topics Global Affairs Canada would like feedback on can be found here:

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2019/2019-07-27/html/notice-avis-eng.html#nL5

 

Presidential candidate Joe Biden says he would renegotiate TPP.

August 3, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

agriculture country countryside crop

Photo by Phan Dang Viet Tung on Pexels.com

This past Thursday, Presidential hopeful and former Vice-President Joe Biden announced he would renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and would not rejoin the TPP as it was initially put forward.

The irony in Vice-President Biden’s statement is his boss was a strong advocate of TPP and tried to push the agreement through before the end of his presidency.

Joe’s main reason to negotiate the TPP is to change provisions that labor and environmental groups in the US worried would result in US jobs moving to lower-income countries such as Vietnam along with other developing countries in Southeast Asia.

Taiwan to cut tariffs on sake and Japan farm and fishery products as it looks to join TPP.

July 7, 2019 By in Japan, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

architecture bird s eye view buildings city

Photo by Ingo Joseph on Pexels.com

According to the Japan Times, in an effort to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free trade pact (formerly the Trans-Pacific Partnership), Taiwan will lower its tariffs on Japanese sake from 40% to 20% along with reductions in tariffs for Japanese farm and fishery products. The reduction in tariffs is to demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment for free trade.

While open to free trade, Taiwan still does not allow imports from five Japanese prefectures impacted by the Fukushima nuclear power station crisis that occurred in 2011.

Will post any updates if and when Taiwan is admitted to the TPP.

CPTPP invites other nations to join.

January 29, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

white furred animals on green grass field

Photo by Gabriel Peter on Pexels.com

The 11 countries that are part of the “Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)” (formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership), have agreed to expand the trade agreement and are seeking involvement of other Pacific nations.

Last week, the first meeting of the CPTPP was held in Tokyo where Ministers and Officials from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam were in attendance.

The CPTPP issued a statement welcoming any new countries that can “meet CPTPP’s high standards and objectives”.

The CPTPP was enacted in December 2018 and proceeded after the Trump Administration removed the US from the deal. The next CPTPP meeting will be held in New Zealand and starting in 2020, each member nation will take turns hosting a meeting.

Contact our office if you have any questions how the trans-pacific partnership will impact your business. David Hsu, 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.