New TPP-like deal to be signed by Malaysia in March 2018

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is slated to be signed on March 8 this year.

This was confirmed by the Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed through a statement earlier today. He also says that members of the newly created group agreed following a breakthrough in negotiations where all CPTPP member countries agreed on four country-specific issues, including Malaysia’s interests.

Mustapa said he would table the outcome of this meeting to cabinet for its consideration and resume the engagement process if the cabinet approves the terms agreed in the meeting.

Chief negotiators of the 11 CPTPP member countries met in Tokyo for two days starting Jan 22, 2018 as a follow up from the ministerial meeting that was held in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov 10, 2017.

The CPTPP had to be formed following Donald Trump's cancellation of the U.S. joining the Trans Pacific Partnership shortly after taking the presidency office in early 2017.