ATLANTA — The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial taking place here is now considered increasingly likely to last beyond Friday (Oct. 2) due to continuing differences on dairy market access and monopoly protections for biologic drugs, despite key parties being close to a deal on the automotive rules of origin.
[Reposted from Inside US Trade | October1, 2015]
Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters Thursday (Oct. 1) that the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Japan are “very close” on autos, but said they are waiting for progress in other areas such as biologics before reaching a final agreement.
In a related development, Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) will travel to the Atlanta ministerial Thursday night.
Guajardo said everything is linked in the negotiation right now because there are very few issues pending. As a result, Mexico is waiting for developments in many other areas before finally trying to close in its areas of interest, Guajardo said. He added that “today will be decisive” in terms of determining whether TPP countries can reach an agreement here.
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