Japan wants to take the lead in saving the TPP against China, foreign media: China has taken the initiative

At a meeting of chief negotiators for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Toronto, Canada, the Japanese government will propose that, in order for the agreement that does not include the United States to enter into force as soon as possible, it should strive for the first half of November. (APEC) leaders informal meeting before and after the meeting was generally negotiated. The first meeting of chief negotiators after the United States withdrew from the TPP was held on the afternoon of May 2, local time. Japan will call on the remaining 11 countries to unite, but each country has different ideas, and it is unclear whether the negotiations can proceed as Japan wishes.

​​According to Kyodo News reported on May 2, Japan, the largest economy among the 11 countries, intends to lead the TPP negotiations that do not include the United States. This also serves as a counterweight to the United States seeking to negotiate bilateral agreements.

​​reported that Japan's specific plan is to finalize the specific measures for the entry into force of the agreement at the ministerial meeting of the TPP member states held during the APEC trade ministers meeting later this month, and decide on the final decision at the informal meeting of APEC leaders. direction.

​​According to Kyodo News, Japan is also wary of China-led construction of the framework for trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region, hoping that the TPP will come into force earlier than the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that China participates in. However,

​​reported that the positions of various countries are not the same. According to analysis, Vietnam and Malaysia may have a more negative attitude towards Japan's proposal, because the withdrawal of the United States makes it difficult to expand exports to the US market, and they have to face problems such as the reform of state-owned enterprises after the agreement takes effect.

​​The Japanese side said that "various opinions are expected" and that it will also propose a mechanism that would make it easier for the United States to re-accept the TPP.

​​According to Kyodo News on May 1, at the meeting of the chief negotiators of the TPP held in Toronto , in order to allow the 11-nation TPP excluding the United States to enter into force as soon as possible, the Japanese government will advocate that only 12 countries including the United States reach an agreement. The content of the agreement should be modified to a minimum, and the "protocol form" different from the agreement should be promoted, that is, the protocol should be concluded by the countries that intend to participate.

​​reported that although the "protocol format" is relatively simple in terms of procedures, there may be a situation in which dissatisfied countries withdraw and the number of participating countries decreases. Japan looks forward to promoting the TPP. In addition, according to a report on the website of the Russian "Expert" weekly magazine on May 3, Tokyo said in February that after US President Trump withdrew from the TPP, this grand economic and political project lost its meaning and was destined to disappear. But within two months, the Japanese government completely changed its position. Tokyo is now convinced that the TPP has good prospects even without US involvement. The reason for the sudden 180-degree turn in Japan's attitude is simple and clear, all because of China. Japan believes that from Chile to Malaysia, all countries are actively looking for a replacement for the United States. If there is no TPP, China will definitely replace the United States. Also not to be forgotten is the China-backed RCEP,

​​reported. RCEP is naturally far inferior to TPP, but if the latter disappears completely, RCEP can become the basis of a new agreement, and China will definitely play a leading role in it. Japan certainly does not want its main adversary to play a leading role in the future development of the Pacific region. TPP is a powerful tool to contain China.

​​Russia's "Expert" weekly believes that it is better to do it late than not, but Tokyo obviously dragged on for a long time. Beijing has seized the initiative. China has acted decisively and quickly. In the past six months, relying on its soft power advantage, China has made great efforts and invested huge funds to improve and strengthen its diplomatic and strategic relations with many countries. Tokyo is clearly aware that it cannot drag on any longer, otherwise China will emerge stronger and will become the undisputed regional leader. The Japanese leadership now wants to seize the moment to lead the revived TPP and lead the Pacific into the 2020s.

File photo: People hold signs against the TPP on Rancho Mirage Day in California, USA. Xinhua News Agency issued