US assures Ciobo TPP on track

The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership remains very much alive, says Trade and Investment Minister Steve Ciobo.

The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership remains very much alive, despite being attacked from all sides of the American presidential election campaign, Trade and Investment Minister Steve Ciobo said from the US yesterday, after speaking with President Barack Obama’s trade representative, Michael Froman.

Mr Ciobo said the Obama administr­ation was determined to bring TPP ratification to the congress this year.

The new minister is determined to ensure his portfolio continues to spearhead the Turnbull government’s efforts to keep the economy moving and has, unconventionally, enlisted as a key ally in this goal his ­predecessor, Andrew Robb.

Mr Robb, appointed by Mr Turnbull as a special trade envoy, accompanied Mr Ciobo in the talks with Mr Froman, and is playing a leading role in the ­inaugural Australia US Business Week now under way, involving a delegation of 240 Australian business leaders, and ministers including Josh Frydenberg, Sussan­ Ley and Wyatt Roy.

The core areas of Australian expertise they are promoting include­ digital, financial and medical technology, agriculture and tourism. The aims are to build commercial links to the US, including through collaboration, and to promote Australia as “an investment proposition” for American business.

Mr Ciobo told The Australian: “We wanted to get a clearer ­picture of the approach of the ­administration to domestic pres­sure points concerning the TPP … We gained the clear message that the government is continuing with all the preparatory work for ratification.”