US Pledges To Join Hands With Malaysia TO End TPP Talks

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The United States has pledged to work with Malaysia to address the outstanding issues in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a multinational free trade agreement, and to sign an agreement soon. This was indicated by the US Trade Representative Ron Kirk when he met Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in his office Tuesday. "As part of our very positive discussions on the trade ties between the US and Malaysia, I was pleased to indicate to Prime Minister Najib the United States' desire to work together to address remaining issues in the TPP. "The US and Malaysia can work together to find creative approaches to achieve high standards across an eventual TPP agreement," said Kirk in a statement Wednesday, marking the end of his two-day working visit to Malaysia. Kirk also held talks on TPP, also known as the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement and trade, with International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Bank Negara (central bank) Governor Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz. He also met the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Malaysian business leaders and senior officials of American companies operating in Malaysia. -- BERNAMA