Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his New Zealand counterpart Bill English reiterated Wednesday in Tokyo their commitment to bringing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact into force soon despite the withdrawal of its biggest signatory economy, the United States.

According to a joint press release, Abe and English "remain committed to maintaining the unity among the signatories and early entry into force of the TPP agreement."

They also confirmed their continued cooperation in concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, an Asia-Pacific trade deal under negotiation that excludes the United States but includes TPP nonsignatory China.