"If we yield to the existing circumstances and will end the ratification procedures in our countries, the TPP eventually will be dead. Nothing will be able to contain protectionism and it will be wide-spread. Despite the 'headwind' in the issues of free trade, I hope that we in our countries would continue to promote the ratification procedures," Abe said Saturday at the meeting of the TPP signatories within the framework of the ongoing APEC summit, as quoted by the Japanese NHK broadcaster.
The Japanese head of government added that the circumstances made it necessary to voice support to the agreement from all the parties to the deal, adding that activities of all the member states could contribute to better understanding of the agreement in the United States itself.
The TPP seeks to remove barriers to trade among its 12 signatories, which together account for 40 percent of the world's economy: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
