Editorial: TPP Ministerial Conference, Where is the reason to rush TPP

Editorial: TPP Ministerial Conference, Where is the reason to rush TPP

 

社説：ＴＰＰ閣僚会合　急ぐ理由はどこにある

 

ブルネイで開かれた環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）閣僚会合は、年内妥結に向けて「重要な節目」となる首脳会合を１０月に開くとした共同声明を発表し閉幕した。
アジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）に合わせて首脳会合を開いて大筋合意し、年内妥結を目指す方向だ。

 

年内決着を急ぐ米国の意向を反映したものだが、日程ありきの交渉の進め方には強い疑問を禁じ得ない。

 

ＴＰＰ交渉参加について日本政府は「国益」を強調するが、それが本当に国民の利益につながるのか依然不透明であり、農業や医療関係者らをはじめ、国内では反対意見も根強い。

 

年内妥結ありきの拙速な議論は到底許されないと肝に銘じるべきだ。

 

そもそも米国が年内決着を急ぐのは、来年秋に中間選挙を控えたオバマ大統領の実績づくりにあるとされる。

 

オバマ政権の公約である輸出倍増計画の達成に向け、ＴＰＰを最大の成果として有権者にアピールしたい思惑だが、あまりにも動機が不純すぎる。

 

閣僚会合後の合同記者会見では「米国が自国のルールを押し付けているのでは」との質問も出た。

 

「米国益」を隠そうともしない露骨な姿勢に、ＴＰＰの危うい本質が見え隠れする。

 

これでは対等かつ公正な貿易交渉とは言えまい。

 

実際、参加１２カ国による交渉は、焦点となっている関税撤廃や知的財産をはじめ、いまだ多くの分野で難航しており、年内妥結へのハードルは極めて高い。

 

特に日本が聖域に掲げるコメや麦、サトウキビなど甘味資源作物などの重要５品目の取り扱いは、現時点でも一切不明だ。

 

今回の交渉では、米国やオーストラリアとの関税交渉に入れず９月中旬以降にずれ込む見通しだ。

 

残りわずか３カ月で国民が納得できる結論を導き出せるのか、甚だ心もとない。むしろ乱暴と言うべきか。

 

にもかかわらず、甘利明ＴＰＰ担当相は年内妥結目標で米国と歩調を合わせた。

 

国有企業の扱いをめぐる現行案に懸念を示すマレーシアなどが越年を辞さない構えを示したのとは対照的だ。

 

安倍晋三首相はＴＰＰ交渉参加を「国家百年の計」と大見えを切ったが、ならば、なおさら焦りは禁物だ。

 

国益を守り切る見通しが立たぬなら、交渉脱退も選択肢とすべきだろう。

 

国民の安定した暮らしと安全を最優先すべきだ。

 

（琉球新報、2013年8月26日）

 

 

Editorial: TPP Ministerial Conference, Where is the reason to rush TPP

 

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement was held in Brunei (TPP) Ministerial Conference, was wrapped issued a joint statement that the open in October a summit meeting as a "significant milestone" towards the end of the year conclusion.

 

It is the direction of the broad agreement to open a summit meeting in accordance with Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), aims to conclude later this year.

 

It is reflect the intention of the United States to rush the year end, but can not prohibit strong doubt on how to proceed with negotiations prior schedule.

 

Japanese government to emphasize the "national gain” for the TPP negotiations participation, but it is still uncertain how it lead to the gain of the people really, other medical personnel and others agriculture, opposition also deep-rooted in the country.

 

We should know hasty discussion of prior there year agreement is not allowed anywhere near.

 

It is the first place the United States for the year end rush is said to be in a track record of making President Obama declined to mid-term elections in the fall next year.

 

It is speculation to achieve the export doubling plan is the commitment of the Obama administration, I want to appeal to voters as a result of up to TPP, but the motivation is too impure too.

 

There are question in the joint press conference after the Conference of Ministers, "the United States are pushing to the rules of their own ?”

 

The blatant attitude that does not even try to hide the "U.S. gain", dangerous nature of the TPP appears and disappears.

 

It will not be said that negotiating trade is fair and equal in this.

 

In fact, negotiations with 12 countries participating, including intellectual property or elimination of tariffs, which has become the focus, we have difficulties in many areas still hurdles to conclude later this year is extremely high.

 

Especially, handling of five items of important resources such wheat crops that Japan listed in the sanctuary, such as sugar cane and rice, is not clear at all at this time also,.

 

In this negotiation, it is expected that delayed until after the middle of September, and without taking into tariff negotiations, with the United States and Australia.

 

Is it derivable conclusions convincing the public only three months, remaining exceedingly dubious.

 

It should rather say rough.

 

Nevertheless, Mr. Akira Amari, Minister TPP was in step with the United States in the year conclusion goal.

 

It is a contrast to the showed a poised, Malaysia expressed concern that the current draft over the handling of state-owned enterprises, is not threatened the biennial.

 

Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe made a large appear as “Storategy total national hundred years," the TPP negotiations participation, but if, impatience is even more.

 

Expected to protect the national gain closing if not to stand, it would be also an option, negotiating withdrawa.

 

We should prioritize the safety and lives of stable people of Japan.

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 26 August 2013 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 26 August 2013 The Roman)