Leaders of the 12 countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations are planning to issue a statement next week confirming they have substantively completed their work on the envisioned pact and will ensure it is a high quality 21st century accord, according to negotiation sources.
While the leaders are set to reiterate their pledge to conclude the negotiations within the year at the TPP summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday, they are not expected to touch on tariff eliminations during the meeting or mention their target percentage in the one-page statement.
Chief negotiators concluded their two-day meeting Wednesday agreeing on a plan for finishing working group negotiations this year, while handing over the more contentious issues for political guidance at a higher level.