WASHINGTON AWAITS KL'S DECISION ON TPP

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The United States is still awaiting
Malaysia's decision on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
Agreement (TPP).

United States Ambassador to Malaysia, James R.Keith said Malaysia has to
carefully consider its decision on the TPP, as it would be on the basis of
discussions with all eight participating countries," he told Bernama in an
interview.

Apart from the United States, the other TPP countries are Australia, Brunei,
Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

According to Keith, once the eight countries are ready to start discussions,
it would still be at a preliminary stage, and Malaysia has to decide if it was
the right time to join in.

"The decision is an important undertaking by Malaysia," he added.

Asked if Malaysia had given any indication on engaging in the TPP, Keith
said:"No.However,there were some early comments from the Malaysian Minister
of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed."

President Barrack Obama announced in Singapore on Nov 14 that the United
States would engage with the TPP countries, with the goal of shaping a regional
agreement that had a broad-based membership and the high standards worthy of a
21st century trade agreement.

While negotiations will be of wide interest, as a route to a more open
trade relationship with the United States, its greatest potential from a larger
perspective is that of a pathfinder for greater regional economic integration.

The TPP, previously known as "P4", was between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand
and Singapore.It was signed in 2005.

The first round of negotiations to expand the TPP to include the United
States, Australia, Peru and Vietnam was scheduled to take place in March this
year.

However, in February, the United States requested a postponement of the
talks, to allow time for a review its trade policy and priorities.

The Nov 14 announcement signalled that the United States is now ready to
proceed with negotiations.

The first round of talks is expected to take place in March 2010.

"As you may know, we are engaging with the TPP partners and are moving
in that direction. It won't be long perhaps you hear some announcement.

"We have to complete our negotiations and consultations with stakeholders
at home and not just inform Congress," he explained.

Stating that the TPP could become a model for regional trade cooperation,
Keith also said the United States, would invest heavily in it.

"Therefore, I think it is important for Malaysia to think about it.It is
also up to Malaysia on whether it intends to be part of this ambitious
group.

"This will be a very, high quality effort, ultimately aimed at expanding
trade volume and increasing efficiency of the global system," he highlighted.

Keith also explained the reason why the United States was turning to the
regional perspective in terms of trade.

"With the expansion of bilateral agreements, we found that it may increase
trade between two countries but inhibit it overall, globally and regionally.

"We are all committed to the Doha round to improve global trade
slowly on an overall basis.This is why we are moving in the direction of
regional bilateral agreements," he said.

He said the TPP includes the kind of economic rehabilitation talked about in
the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation with Malaysia.

He said the FTA discussions, wherever it led, would have helped Malaysia
determine where it should draw the line.

Keith pointed out that Malaysia is the United States' 18th largest market
and
"an important contributor", to its economy.

The balance of trade is in Malaysia's favour,against the total value of
US$45 billion. The United States is the largest investor in Malaysia at present.


-- BERNAMA
T