TPP-11 Want Deal That Leaves Door Open to US: Australian Official

Keeping the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact in a form that might lure the U.S. back is a key point of discussion for negotiators from the remaining 11 countries, according to deputy secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justin Brown."A key objective that we all share is to try and use this agreement to encourage interest in the U.S. to reconsider their approach," Brown said at an Australian Senate committee hearing last week. TPP-11 countries recognize that means keeping in place the pact's provisions on market access aspects, including tariff elimination and access for services and investment, Brown reported.Those are extremely important issues for American exporters and businesses, "so there is a strong view among the TPP-11 not to disturb the market access package for that reason," Brown told the hearing. Australia's primary aim is to prevent any changes to TPP deal that might lead to its unraveling or that might impede its rapid entry into force, he added.