politics

U.S. says TPP is priority, as China touts free-trade zone

15 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

15 Comments
Login to comment

It's odd that, most people seem to be dissing on Japan for wanting to sanction and customize the agreement, but the U.S. is putting very similar sanctioning and customizing the agreement onto China. This whole thing is turning into a huge debacle. It should be a very simple and clear agreement with no compromises for any of the participants. They should be in or out and that's it! It's a free trade agreement. It's not a customized trade agreement.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

America only looks out for it's self in any trade agreement. If countries do not go along with it and go for a different type of agreement then America says just like the title of the news story states 'America touts China's free trade zone'.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

It makes more sense to me to have some kind of trade agreement with the neighbours. China is a neighbour. The USA is not.

The TPP is being conducted in secret. This alone should cause enough suspicion to keep well away from it. There are, however, leaks: https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/57746

If the trade agreement with China were conducted openly, I'd rather go with that.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

The TPP discussions, however, have run into snags amid resistance by some prospective members—notably Japan—to opening domestic markets too widely.

Kick Japan to the curb. They came to the party late and have done nothing but slow the process down.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

I don't think TPP will continue in secret forever. Hopefully those who do their job, they do it to their best. We are lucky enough now to have the kinds of Wikileaks and others that can play their critical roles in scrutinizing these processes as well, though not to the extent that may be satisfying to the public. Let all of them do their job.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If the trade agreement with China were conducted openly, I'd rather go with that.

Bertie is correct to say that TPP is biased for US interest. US has been pushing Japan to open the food market immediately. On the other hand, it will open their Auto market gradully within 30 or 35 years. For God safe, many auto makers will not be alive when US open the auto market. It is the double standard as do as I told you. Not as I do!

For the fruit vendor from Ginza, Chinese tourists bought more fruits from him or her. Therefore PRC tourists gave them joy and hopes. On the other hand, US wants to steal his or her customers with importing genetically modified fruits. US will make him or her broke for closing his or her fruit shop.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

For the fruit vendor from Ginza, Chinese tourists bought more fruits from him or her. Therefore PRC tourists gave them joy and hopes. On the other hand, US wants to steal his or her customers with importing genetically modified fruits. US will make him or her broke for closing his or her fruit shop.

Talk about not being able to see the forest because of the trees. Now the "fruit vendor from Ginza" is the reason to oppose TPP and the big, bad US. My God, talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Where would Japanese auto companies be without the U.S. market? And do you know how much they favor TPP -- so they can import their vehicles tariff-free to the states? I don't see them crying over that fruit vendor.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

The sexiness of big announcements and big goals has sort of passed us.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Everyone is missing the main strategy, yes strategy and one step at a time. Their was a comment that the US was not a neighbor that is so far from the truth as we all live on one planet so we are all neighbors and stuck on this earth whether one likes it or not. The main idea is a global one world government, that's it. TPP, ASEAN are just pieces of the grand scheme, The currency devaluation is another piece. However China should learn that free trade agreements do not work if one or the other party is not fair or open with the agreement and seriously their shouldn't be any secrets from the working people who will end paying the price of free trade agreements, look around. The rich get richer, everyone else gets poorer and it doesn't matter where one lives on this planet. There is no balancing as a middle class. Free trade makes sure of it. If I was an American, Japanese or even Chinese I would definitely vote no to free trade in order to take care of my own well being. The governments never have the best interest of the people but big business, same in any form of government.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The fact that the US government negotiators are pushing so hard for the TPP shows that the multinational corporations that own the government there and who secretly wrote the agreement will be the main winners and this should be a warning for workers in any country that signs on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Free trade, means the opening of all products and no more top secret abound but only those in drawing board. In deed it will help more to those unadvace nation, take note all are for sale.in short it's a forwarding move for transparency . What you got Lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China and S.Korea just announced they've agreed on FTA. Japan's problems with TPP and China, now looks even more of a larger problem now.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

On the other hand, it will open their Auto market gradully within 30 or 35 years. some people have no f clue, US auto tarriffs of japanese car/parts range from 2.5%~30%, Japanese tarriffs on agriculture imports range from 30%~800%. the imbalance is a f insult. Japan should drop there tarriffs that are balanced and fair with other countries. enough BS and time wasting put up or GTFO of the TPP

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Where would Japanese auto companies be without the U.S. market?

Japanese cars for US market are made in USA.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Is there any Green view out here? are you guys satisfied with trade only? That goes straight though APEC.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites