Japan welcomes Britain's willingness to join TPP, pledges support

The licking starts...

Puts a new spin on the word Trans-Pacific, doesn’t it?

UK is about to split apart. Might want to wait

brits in the TPP! Jolly good show. Would love to see Japan work more with the UK. Lot of similarities, but enough differences to keep it interesting.

I don't want to join the TPP. Do we get a referendum on it? I doubt it.

Better off staying in the EU.

So what will Britain's exit of the TPP be called? TPexit? TPP-off?

Britain joining TPP is as confusing to me as Australia participating in the European Song Contest. (Don't misunderstand me Australia, you are very welcome as far a I am concerned).

But, TPP could be what the European Union was meant to be. A group of nations engaged in free trade, not interfering with each others laws, and regulations, or a bureaucratic nightmare.

But, TPP could be what the European Union was meant to be. A group of nations engaged in free trade, not interfering with each others laws, and regulations, or a bureaucratic nightmare.

With Japan involved you talk about 'free trade" with a straight face?

Puts a new spin on the word Trans-Pacific, doesn’t it?

Britannia rules the waves! ;)

While the EU has grown stronger since its inception, so has the US, despite each state not having a referendum. The US used to be just a defence and free trade pact through Articles of Confederation. The constitution made it stronger and the subsequent events concentrated more and more power at the federal level. Some US govt officials even encouraged UK to leave. Imagine the uproar if the EU encouraged California to leave the US (Calxit).

With Japan involved you talk about 'free trade" with a straight face?

Yes, I think that before the UK joins TPP, Japan needs a lecture regarding fair trade.

Yes, I think that before the UK joins TPP, Japan needs a lecture regarding fair trade.

You don't get it, now again, who's licking here? :)

Would love to see Japan work more with the UK. Lot of similarities, but enough differences to keep it interesting.

The only similarity I could think of is insular thinking which works better for the Japanese so far as for the Britons..

The only similarity I could think of is insular thinking which works better for the Japanese so far as for the Britons..

Wake me up when someone like Gert Wilders can get elected to the UK parliament and then I’ll worry about insular thinking.

You can tell Britain is desperate. Tokyo alone has bigger economy than the entire UK, if they join the TPP, they will be nothing more but a subservient pet to Japan, then again, they used to be subservient to America up until now, so they should have no problem re-adjusting to a new overlord.

TPP is a nightmare waiting to happen, the way it has been written it is great for big corporations and their profits but very bad for people, national sovereignty, and just about any one else.

TPP is a nightmare waiting to happen, the way it has been written it is great for big corporations and their profits but very bad for people, national sovereignty, and just about any one else.

I heard this argument and those arguing for it. I heard it is a real monster of a document. I applaud you for having read it.

Britain: "We are thinking of TPP now"

Japan: "We support you but you still can not sell produce, steel, computers, phones, drinks or plastics to us"

Free Trade, where ever it is, needs to be encouraged and promoted as the only alternative to the protectionism that seems to be perforating through various nations at the moment. Like it or not the future of the worlds trade and also its economy will be more and more focussed on the East than on the West. The US's position at the top of the table is now entering its final years as China will inevitably take over by 2030 as the powerhouse and workshop of the world! Anyone who seriously thinks the US will remain the top dog throughout the 21st century is deluded. And to say they UK is split at the moment should look at the way America is slowly tearing itself apart socially, politically and internationally!

The UK seeking to enter into this market and recognise the potential of focussing its attentions East not West, may land them benefits in the long run, as early adopters and also show to those counties already within the framework that they are serious about negotiating partnerships around the world. Good on them for getting it started and lets hope it works out.

see the TPP is far from dead without the USA, even the UK knows being apart of the TPP will give it stronger bargaining power when it comes to an FTA with the US

Britain: "We are thinking of TPP now"

Japan: "We support you but you still can not sell produce, steel, computers, phones, drinks or plastics to us"

That, I think that sums it up perfectly.

In my opinion the UK is better doing one to one trade arangements with the TPP countries.

How can you do business with a country that puts a 900% tariff on rice, and then expects free access.

Besides, there is nothing that Japan makes that you cannot get from another country.

How can you do business with a country that puts a 900% tariff on rice, and then expects free access. it already has free access to the UK , Honda Toyota Nissan all have large manufacturing base in the UK employing thousands of UK citizens. just how many UK companies employ Japanese in Japan!?

How can you do business with a country that puts a 900% tariff on rice, and then expects free access. 

Out of the literally thousands upon thousands of products imported and exported to and from Japan I wonder why THIS is always cherry picked as the basis of an argument against Japan and free trade?

FYI GB doesnt export rice so what damn difference does it make?

What?? Britain in the TPP?

Maybe because we own Pitcairn?

What's next - ask China to extend the Silk Road?

Wtfjapan

Yes, Japan has a very welcome manufacturing base in the UK, along with many other countries who also have strong manufacturing base's in the UK.

As for how many staff UK companies employ in Japan, I don't know the exact figure (just as I don't know how many people are employed in many other countries in the world by UK companies).

However, the issue really is that if one country has 900 % tariffs on an imported product, and the country it trades with is open, then that becomes unfair trade.

If Japan exports rice to other countries, then perhaps those countries impose 900% tariffs on Japanese rice. Fair trade.

As for how many staff UK companies employ in Japan, I don't know the exact figure (just as I don't know how many people are employed in many other countries in the world by UK companies).

Except for BP there are not that many UK companies left for manufacturing or production as they are owned or steered by foreigners.

When they can get the J consumer hooked on 'crumpets' the Brits can a start a production line on the island :)