President Donald Trump ordered U.S. trade negotiators to explore the possibility of restarting talks on joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Thursday, in a move likely to please Japanese diplomats who have invested heavily into bringing the U.S. back to the massive trade deal.
In addition to the clear economic benefits of including the world's largest economy in TPP, U.S. participation in further negotiations could also relieve trade pressures currently building between the U.S. and the Asian region. "For Japan's economic diplomacy getting America back to the table on TPP would be a huge win," said Yorizumi Watanabe, professor of policy management at Tokyo's Keio University.
"If America returns to the TPP it is a big plus for the Japanese economy. Rather than one specific industry it is good for the economic environment as a whole, and could help increase growth rates and investment," said Watanabe in a phone interview.