Japan, US can reach agreement for July pan-Pacific trade deal-Japan official

[TOKYO] Japan and the United States are likely to resolve outstanding bilateral issues so that a 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal can be struck at a multilateral ministerial meeting expected in July, a senior Japanese official said on Friday.

A deal between the United States and Japan, the world's largest and third-largest economies, is vital to clinching the multilateral TPP pact, which would cover 40 per cent of the world economy. The deal is a key part of US President Barack Obama's strategic rebalance to Asia in the face of a rising China.

The politically touchy matters of access to Japan's market for farm products including rice and the US market for auto parts are among remaining bilateral issues, the official said told Reuters.

"It is not anticipated that these remaining issues will be stumbling blocks for a US-Japan agreement," the official said.

"We are confident we will be able to resolve them in time for concluding TPP negotiations overall."

After a six-week Congressional battle, the US Senate voted 60 to 38 on Wednesday to grant Mr Obama "fast-track" power to negotiate trade deals and speed them through Congress.

Japan and some other countries had wanted fast-track to be approved before making final offers on the trade deal.

REUTERS