Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership – Ministerial Statement

Tokyo, Japan, January 19, 2019

Ministers and Senior Officials representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, expressed delight at the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”) on December 30, 2018, and are pleased to announce that the 1st Commission meeting of the Agreement has been held successfully today.

Ministers expressed their firm commitment to fully implement the Agreement, which sends a strong signal in support of free trade; puts in place high-standard and well-balanced rules suitable for the 21st century; boosts economic growth; and benefits businesses, consumers, families, farmers and workers from their nations. Ministers were confident that the decisions made by the Commission will contribute to ensuring the smooth implementation of the Agreement and promote its expansion over time.

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining strong solidarity in vigorously promoting free trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. In this context, Ministers welcomed the early ratification and implementation by seven Signatories and expressed their hope that the Agreement will enter into force for all Signatories at the earliest possible date.

Amid growing concerns over recent trends toward protectionism, Ministers shared the view that it is of paramount importance to maintain and further strengthen the principles of an effective, open, inclusive and rules-based trading system.

Ministers reiterated that the Agreement is open to all economies which accept these principles and are willing to meet the high standards of the Agreement and confirmed their strong determination to expand the Agreement through the accession of those new economies.

In adopting the above statement, Ministers recognised that Malaysia is still evaluating the Agreement and its decision concerning its ratification.

Ministers celebrated the successful conclusion of the 1st Commission meeting and recognised it as a great start toward building a strong platform of high-standard rules for the region and beyond.