President Joko Widodo affirms Indonesia wants to join TPP

(Baonghean.vn) - Speaking after meeting with US President Barack Obama on October 26, Indonesian President Joko Widodoaffirmed that his country intends to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement created by the US and 11 other countries.

US President Barack Obama and Indonesian President Joko Widodo shake hands after their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on October 26. Photo: Reuters.

“We are the largest economy in Southeast Asia. And Indonesia wants to join the TPP,” said Mr. Widodo.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman said the US will maintain information sharing on the TPP, which sets common standards on issues ranging from workers' rights to intellectual property protection.

“As we have said from the beginning, TPP is an open playing field that other countries that are able and willing to meet the standards can join,” Mr. Froman said at a business summit organized by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Indonesia needs to work on cutting red tape, addressing barriers such as local content and packaging requirements, removing import and export restrictions and protecting intellectual property rights, he added.

The two leaders also discussed climate change, strengthening Indonesia's maritime security and forest fires in the country.

Earlier, on October 26, the Indonesian government said Mr. Widodo would shorten his visit to the US to address the “haze crisis” caused by forest fires.

Mr Wododo linked the fires to the effects of climate change that Indonesia is experiencing.

Thu Giang

(According to Reuters)