(VOVWORLD) - Ministers from 16 Asia-Pacific nations on Sunday began talks in Tokyo aimed at forging the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) amid increasing tensions caused by protectionism.
 Asian economies discuss trade pact amid rising protectionism (Photo: Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News ) |
At meetings hosted by Japan and Singapore, all parties were urged to narrow differences in tariff cut, intellectual property, and e-commerce to reach an agreement on RCEP. 16 countries include 10 ASEAN members and Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.