Japan PM stresses importance of TPP trade pact in Clinton meeting

[NEW YORK] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Monday and stressed it was important for the United States to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal that she opposes, Japanese officials said.

Mr Abe and Mrs Clinton met for about 15 minutes at Mr Abe's hotel in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly, the officials said. The meeting was held at Mrs Clinton's request, they said.

The two stressed the importance of strengthening the US-Japan security relationship and both outlined their known positions on the 12-nation TPP, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The pact has been agreed, but not ratified by the United States or Japan.

Mrs Clinton, the Democratic candidate in the Nov 8 US presidential election, has opposed the deal, which is unpopular with labour unions and environmental groups, although she championed it while serving as secretary of state.

In a speech to US business leaders in New York on Monday, Mr Abe described TPP as a "pillar" of the US rebalance of policy emphasis to Asia, which comes in response to China's rise.

"Through the TPP, the US can make clear its commitment to playing a leadership role in the growing Asia-Pacific," he said.

"Japan and the US must each obtain domestic approval of the TPP as soon as possible," Mr Abe said.

"Success or failure will sway the direction of the global free trade system, and the strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific."

Mr Abe said he would pursue TPP approval at an upcoming session of Japan's parliament.

"Japan will spare no effort, and we count on the US to do the same," he said.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama engaged Ohio Governor John Kasich, a high-profile political foe, to help press Republicans to approve the TPP before he leaves office in four months.

The unusual move is a sign of how the White House intends to make a final full-court push to convince Republican leaders in the US Congress to approve the deal in a "lame duck" session after the election.

The TPP has been pilloried by both Republican and Democratic candidates.

Republicans traditionally have backed free trade deals, but their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has blamed them for US job losses and threatened to tear them up should he win.

Mr Abe had no meeting with Mr Trump, who has accused Tokyo of not pulling its weight in its security alliance with Washington.

The Japanese officials said Mr Trump had not requested a meeting.

REUTERS