TOKYO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan hosted Thursday a working group meeting of the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade talks, marking the first one that was held in the latest TPP member. The meeting that will end Monday mainly focused on one of the most difficult negotiations covering intellectual property, including patent terms for new drugs, as the 12 involving countries planned to conclude an overall TPP deal by the end of this year.

One of the very first acts of the very first Congress of the United States was to impose tariffs on imported gloves, hats, and clothing.

With economic integration being at the forefront, Asean – as it focuses on becoming a much stronger unit – has found itself in the midst of a much hyped about financial discussion that has started gaining momentum.

Japan has decided to retain the tariffs it levies on imported beans in the ongoing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

Japan and the United States will hold their third round of bilateral trade negotiations next week in Washington on auto trade-related issues and nontariff measures, the government said Friday.

Twelve countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations will hold a ministerial meeting Dec. 7 to 9 in Singapore, with an aim to conclude a deal by year-end, official sources said Monday.

At the 2013 APEC meeting, TPP Ministers have made a Report to TPP Leaders on progress of TPP negotiations up to now:

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The 12 countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are unlikely to ease their individual food safety s

The 19th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement negotiations were held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 24 – 30 August 2013.

Parties made solid progress across the text of the agreement and had productive discussions on a range of more challenging issues, as the negotiations entered an advanced stage. On 23 July, TPP parties welcomed the newest member Japan to the negotiating table for the first time.