In an apparent shift, Tokyo plans to push forward talks for activating the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement without the United States, which withdrew from the multination trade pact in January after President Donald Trump said he would instead pursue bilateral trade deals, a government source said.
With the China-excluding pact, inked last year as part of an effort toward high-level trade liberalization, currently adrift after America's exit, Japan has stepped up to take the lead in making sure the massive trade deal takes effect among the remaining 11 members, the source said Saturday.
The 11 members are expected to begin discussing the issue at a meeting of chief negotiators in Canada early next month. Their trade ministers will also meet in Vietnam later in May on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering.