Trans-Pacific trade talks prove tough

The continuing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement are proving tough as the 12 countries involved fail to reach a consensus on some key points.

Steve Randall
The continuing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement are proving tough as the 12 countries involved fail to reach a consensus on some key points. The meeting in Hawaii is expected to bring some news Friday with a media conference scheduled for 7.30pm but currently there are difference of opinion on matters including dairy exports. Reuters says that biologic drugs’ exclusivity periods are also a stumbling block as the US wants 12 years while Australia and some others want just 5 years to keep medicine prices lower. The Partnership could open trade links for 40 per cent of the world’s economies. 
 

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