Panel wants more trade deal time

The International Economic Policy Committee requires another 50 days to make a recommendation on whether Thailand should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), says Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

The CPTPP was launched in 2019 to remove trade barriers among 11 nations representing nearly 500 million consumers in the Asia-Pacific region.

The pact replaced the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a similar trade deal that included the United States until the Trump administration decided to withdraw.

Mr Don, also the committee chairman, yesterday clarified ongoing speculation that the government has decided to join the CPTPP, a move which the private sector supports but civil groups and health activists oppose.

He confirmed that the committee has yet to make a decision but required more time to study the different dimensions…