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Thailand openly airs hope to join TPP
Thailand has expressed its hope of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Japan’s minister in charge of the free trade deal said Tuesday.
“Thailand has made it clear that it wants to take part in the TPP,” Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters after meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Mr Somkid was quoted by Mr Motegi as saying that Thailand hopes to do so “as soon as possible.”
The military regime has strongly hinted since seizing power in 2014 that it might reverse the policy of elected governments to stay out of the TPP.
Following the US pullout in January 2017 with the launch of President Donald Trump’s administration, the remaining 11 participating countries signed a revised TPP in March this year and are proceeding with domestic processes.
The trade pact will come into effect 60 days after at least six countries complete domestic approval procedures.
“Negotiations for (Thailand’s participation) will likely come after the TPP comes into force and approval by the participating countries will be needed,” Mr Motegi said.
Japan has been hoping to increase the number of members while encouraging the United States to return to the free trade accord.
Mr Motegi indicated that Thai participation in the TPP will likely help prompt the United States to consider rejoining the trade pact.
Somkid said Bangkok will seek to join the Pacific Rim free trade agreement later this year, local media in Thailand reported in March.
The 11 countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1456109/thailand-openly-airs-hope-to-join-tpp