WASHINGTON – Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiators on Saturday cleared the way for political decisions at high-level meetings next month that may lead to the creation of a new free trade pact that will dwarf existing agreements, Japan’s top TPP negotiator said.

The United States and Japan are considering making a joint proposal concerning Trans-Pacific Partnership rules on drug patents, making it possible for generic drugs to be sold sooner in developing countries, sources close to the matter said Saturday.

The chairman of the industry group representing New Zealand's beef and lamb farmers said Wednesday he hopes Japan will cut its tariffs on imported beef under a Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord.

All countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade negotiations, with the exception of Japan, agreed to pursue sectoral talks in Washington from Friday to Monday with an eye toward setting a tariff liberalization rate of more than 95 percent, according to informed sources.

WASHINGTON – Four of the countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership initiative are offering the other members total tariff elimination on all agricultural and industrial goods, a source close to the talks said.

The United States and Vietnam have reached a basic accord on market access and reforms of state-owned enterprises in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, clearing a major hurdle toward an overall agreement, negotiation sources said Saturday.

A burgeoning global trade agreement with nations such as Japan, Vietnam and Australia is leaving GMO-labeling advocates concerned that it could result in a ban on GMO labeling not only in the U.S., but in all countries taking part in negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership  (TPP) agreement.

Japan has made a bilateral proposal to scratch tariffs on nearly 90 percent of U.S. imports under the 12-member Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, an informed source said Wednesday.

South Korea is undecided on joining the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, a senior South Korean trade official said Thursday.

Washington, DC, United States – The U.S.