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Ministers from Japan and New Zealand are among the remaining
pact members gathering in Hanoi this weekend to find ways to
revive the agreement after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew
in favor of pursuing bilateral talks.
"As the flagbearers of free trade, we will maintain close
cooperation and aim at early realization of TPP," Abe told a
joint news conference following a summit with English.
TPP rules have to be changed so it can take effect without U.S.
participation, but Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso last month
said Tokyo would not rule out the option of negotiating such a
deal.
"At this time of international uncertainty, it's more important
than ever for outward-looking trading countries like New Zealand
and Japan to state their principles clearly," said English,
urging commitment to international trade and regional economic
integration.
"I'm very pleased that New Zealand stands alongside Japan,
taking this important regional agreement forward."
For the TPP to take effect without the United States it would
have to drop a rule requiring ratification by at least six
countries accounting for 85 percent of the combined gross
domestic product of the original 12 member nations.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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