TPP talks in Atlanta make progress

On their third working day, representatives from the 12 countries joined a quick plenary meeting for just 20 minutes, followed by a number of bilateral meetings and group meetings. Prospects for the completion of the TPP agreement are hopeful, as the differences between negotiators on automobile parts and patent protection for biological drugs near solutions.

According to a VTV correspondent in the US, a press conference is scheduled to be held by the end of Saturday (US time) to announce the outcome of this negotiation round. Once the deal is signed – as expected - the TPP will create a free trade region of 800-million people, accounting for 30 percent of global trade and about 40 percent of the world’s economy. The move aims to finalise the negotiation process that has lasted more than 5 years.