SYDNEY,(MILLAT+APP/AFP) – Japan and Australia will work
together to ensure the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal
comes into force, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday, making
no mention of strong US opposition.
After talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull,
Abe took the lead on the trade pact covering 12 Pacific Rim nations
that was ratified by Japan’s parliament last month.
“We agreed that we should demonstrate anew to the world
the importance of free trade,” Abe told reporters.
“We confirmed that we would coordinate for the early entry
into force of the TPP.”
The two men later released a joint statement which “stressed
that implementing the TPP remains an indispensable priority because
of the significant economic and strategic benefits it offers.”