Next TPP Talks In March But Intersessionals Ongoing; Canada Seeks Views On Joining

The next round of negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement is expected to be held in March in Australia, but secretive intersessional meetings on a variety of topics are being held in the meantime. Meanwhile, the Canadian government is considering joining the TPP talks, and is asking for public comments on the idea by 14 February.

According to unofficial sources, a “mini-ministerial” meeting of TPP negotiators on IP issues – perhaps focusing on geographical indications and copyright – will be held at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles from 31 January to 4 February. There will be a parallel session in San Diego, likely on labor and environmental issues. The Office of the US Trade Representative declined to confirm these details.

The next round of negotiations will be held in Melbourne, Australia on 1-9 March, see here.

Canadian Prime Minister Harper indicated Canada’s interest in joining the TPP talks on 13 November, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Current TPP members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

More information on Canada’s TPP consultations is available here.