Japan's Abe Negative about Renegotiating TPP 11

Tokyo, Jan. 29 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday expressed a negative view about renegotiating a new Trans-Pacific Partnership deal broadly agreed in November last year by Japan and 10 other countries without the United States. At a parliamentary committee meeting, Abe welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Friday of a plan to consider a return to the TPP by the United States. Still, Abe said he was not considering any change to the new TPP deal reached after Trump withdrew his country from the original TPP framework early last year. Also at the meeting, Abe said Foreign Minister Taro Kono held talks with Chinese officials, including Premier Li Keqiang, in a good atmosphere in Beijing on Sunday. Citizens of both countries and the international community hope that the various bilateral issues between Japan and China are managed properly and well, Abe said, suggesting that he will work harder to improve the bilateral relationship. END