Japan, the United States and 10 other nations that reached a broad agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact in October are arranging to sign the deal in early February, an official from one of the nations has said.
Following the broad agreement after more than five years of negotiations, the 12 nations released the text of the landmark trade deal in November. The signing envisioned in early February will finalize that.
TPP countries have been working on measures to support their domestic industries, and small and midsize firms that may face stiff competition from cheaper imports once the treaty goes into force. At the same time, they are expected to pursue ratification of the pact either through parliamentary approval or by other means.
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