LIMA, November 19. /TASS/. The leaders of Japan and Peru agreed to step up efforts to implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact as soon as possible, despite US president-elect’s vow to scrap it once he takes office, Kyodo reported Saturday.
"We affirmed to make further efforts to complete the domestic procedures for each of our countries for timely implementation of the TPP," the agency quoted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as saying at a joint news conference with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski after talks in Lima.
The 12-nation free trade deal will be in the spotlight of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru that brings together leaders of 21 nations. Its future is uncertain following the election of Donald Trump, who is a fierce opponent of the pact.
Abe and Kuczynski said in a joint statement that the agreement, signed in February, is important for stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and they would cooperate in sending a message to Trump to reverse his position.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, whose country is also a signatory to the treaty, said upon his arrival to Lima that he would call on other leaders to go ahead with the agreement even if Washington backs out.
"If we can't get there with the United States, Japan would still be worth it," he said.
The lower chamber of the Japanese parliament voted to ratify TPP last week.