Amerikanerne ser deres økonomiske og strategiske fremtid i Stillehavs-rummet
US President Barack Obama has announced the broad outlines of a plan to create a trans-Pacific free trade zone at an annual regional summit in Hawaii.
– I am confident we can get this done, Mr Obama said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) talks, BBC online reports Sunday.
Nine Apec nations are involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), but China has so far not expressed interest in joining the talks.
In all, 21 Apec countries account for about 44 per cent of global trade. They also make up some 40 per cent of the world’s population.
Speaking in Honolulu on Saturday, Mr Obama said: – Together we can boost exports and create more goods available for our consumers, create new jobs. Compete, win in the markets of the future.
Describing the region as an engine for growth, he expressed hopes that the TPP deal could be finalised as early as next year.
The TPP currently includes Chile, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore – all relatively small economies – with the US, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Peru negotiating to join.
And Japan, the world’s third largest economy, has now said it also wants to join the discussions.
US sees Asia as essential to America’s future, both economically and strategically.
