The Petersen Institute

The TPP Deal: Not Closed but Close to Closure

by Jeffrey J. Schott | August 3rd, 2015 | http://blogs.piie.com/trade/?p=384 Completing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade accord at the Maui meeting of trade ministers last week was a very ambitious and difficult goal. It didn’t get done, despite resolution of key chapters on the environment and other issues. But the time in paradise was well spent: All the pieces of the TPP puzzle are now on the table for the political leaders of the 12 participating countries to pull together into an ambitious accord before the end of the summer.
Trade ministers expect a quick return to the negotiating table once they brief their leaders and legislatures. Indeed, many of their negotiators stayed over in Maui to iron out the details of the numerous areas where agreement is nearly at hand—areas such as state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and antidumping and countervailing duties.http://blogs.piie.com/trade/?p=384