英闻天下——413 Japan Intends to Join in TPP Free Trade Talks

 　　Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that his country is preparing to join in the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership¹.

 

　　Abe says once Japan is recruited in the regional free-trade group, the country is likely to enjoy duty-free treatment in export trade and investment within the region.

 

　　Abe believes joining TPP will bear positive effects on Japanese economy despite the fear from farmers over the pounding impact on agricultural industry.

 

　　Professor Liu Yun from China Institute of Contemporary International Relations says some TPP members will help to ease energy shortage in Japan.

 

　　"There has been a huge demand for energy since Japan shut all its nuclear stations after the Fukushima nuke accident two years ago. Energy price in Japan is seeing a hike since the country has to import a large amount of oil and natural gas. So Japan's energy can be largely supplied by the US and Russia with favorable conditions once the country joins in TPP."

 

　　Meanwhile, Liu Yun notes Japan also intends to strengthen its alliance with the US by joining the TPP. And the US is trying to solidify² the international currency status of US dollar and building a US-led world structure.

 

　　China has long been promoting the establishment of a free trade area composed of China, Japan and South Korea. With regard to TPP, Liu Yun believes Japan's intention to move closer to a US-led free trade agreement will bring negative impacts on Chinese economy.

 

　　"Once TPP is set up, China will be facing many difficulties in promoting regional trade since Japan is deeply involved in a US-led trade agreement. But we need to see a TPP, representing most Asia-Pacific economic bodies will not be intact if without China in it. So I think China will be able to join in the regional economic bloc³ in the long term."

 

　　The US and the 10 other member countries are pushing for a deal on TPP by the end of the year.

 

　　The other TPP members include Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

1 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

2 solidify   

v.(使)凝固，(使)固化，(使)团结

参考例句：

• Opinion on this question began to solidify.对这个问题的意见开始具体化了。
• Water will solidify into ice if you freeze it.水冷冻会结冰。

3 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。