Trans-Pacific Partnership Essay Example

contents only compounds this worry.

In 2014, the strategy for negotiation and ratification of TPP was deemed as "backwards". The President's objective was to present Congress with an irresistible deal. A failed TPP would relieve pressure on Japan and China to reform their economies, potentially damaging the credibility of the United States.

President Obama placed emphasis on safeguarding American jobs in November 2015, even with the TPP creating doubt over the U.S.'s authority and power.

As per The Economist's November 2014 report, the TPP can enhance entry into Japan. Michael Froman, the U.S. trade representative, emphasized that the treaty intends to create advanced labor norms and equitable competition for both government-owned and private businesses while retaining an unrestricted internet policy. Advocates of the TPP claim that it will provide American workers and companies with a competitive edge compared to their Chinese equivalents (Gomez, 2015).

According to Donnan (2015), as China and other nations create regional alliances that fall short of American labor regulations, intellectual property rights, and internet governance standards, it is imperative for the United States to take charge in establishing worldwide trade regulations. Failing to do so could harm American workers and the middle class more than letting these competitors progress. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan highlighted the potential economic benefits of TPP in October 2014 (Economist).

Japan has been hesitant to make significant concessions, especially when it comes to decreasing tariffs and safeguarding their agricultural industry. Although these farmers are a small and aging group who only contribute 0.8% to Japan's GDP, they hold considerable sway as the suppliers of Japan's most valuable crops.

As of November 2014, The Economist has published an article analyzing

the noteworthy involvement of China in TPP negotiations despite not being a participant. Ultimately, it is up to the U.S. Congress to decide whether or not to pass the TPP.Backer (2014) suggests that China may be included in a union similar to the European Union. However, reluctance from China is anticipated due to their opposition to adhering to American regulations concerning state-owned businesses and internet policies. Backer also notes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is expected to grow in size, could potentially extend its membership to include Russia. This move could lead towards a governance model similar to the EU, with a central governing body managing affairs for member nations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and American leaders share a common understanding of the term "integration," which aligns with its usage by European Union architects. The aim is to achieve economic integration, ultimately resulting in political integration of APEC/TPP/FTAAP nations into a Trans-Pacific Union. Gomez contends that this union would relegate the U.S. to secondary status as a member state, lacking sovereignty or autonomy due to China, Vietnam, and Russia leading as Marxist states from the Eastern bloc (2015).

As of October 2014, progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) appears to be at a standstill. This is due to the fact that, without significant concessions from Japan, President Obama is unlikely to obtain TPA which is necessary to continue negotiations and finalise the agreement. Additionally, there exists a conflict between the grand ambition of connecting 40% of the world's economy through the TPP and discordance among the three powerhouse economies in Asia regarding sovereignty and security (Feldman, 2014). As a result, Japan remains diplomatically situated between China and

the United States according to Backer.

Japan's election of Prime Minister Abe has steered the country towards a middle ground, but deeper into the intricate relationships between the United States and China. The decision to engage in TPP negotiations brings Japan nearer to the forefront of ongoing efforts to regulate trade structures in the Pacific basin, potentially influencing the shape of government and policies of TPP states and their trading partners. This move toward alignment with the US poses a challenge to China.

According to a 2014 report, Japan's participation in the TPP is seen by China as a component of the United States' plan to surround China both militarily and economically while also removing it from the global efforts to establish transnational regulatory frameworks. As a result, it poses a clear danger to China's developing interests and will likely elicit a response aimed at both Japan and the United States.