The participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Lessons from Viet Nam

In the event, Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Senior Adviser to the National Secretariat of APEC 2017, Viet Nam, who is also a former Deputy Chief of the Viet Nam Trade Negotiator (2008 to 2014) to share experiences related to Viet Nam’s participation in the TPP. In terms of Viet Nam joining the TPP is an attempt to integrate the domestic economy with the global economy. Viet Nam considered TPP as a trade agreement with the greatest economic potential. By joining the TPP, Viet Nam will be integrated into the market with 40% of global GDP, 30% of world trade, and 11% of the world's population. "By joining the TPP, Indonesia will also get a better position in negotiations of other free trade zones, and strengthen the role and leadership of Indonesia in regional and global scale," added Ambassador Nga.

It is mentioned by Ambassador Nga that Viet Nam's participation in the TPP is not free of challenges and obstacles. Domestically, for example, there are doubts whether the TPP will bring positive impact on the economy. In addition, Viet Nam still needs to increase domestic preparedness, such as improving competitiveness and making the arrangement of institutions and regulations to be aligned with the TPP agreement.

Unlike the Viet Nam who has participated in the TPP negotiations since 2010, Indonesia is a newcomer, having expressed interest in the TPP in 2015. However, Indonesia is not alone. There are still other countries such as the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand, who are considering to join the TPP. Ambassador Nga suggested Indonesia could soon join the TPP negotiations, so that they can prepare themselves better if one day join the TPP.

Foreign Policy Lecture organized by the Policy Analysis and Development Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi. This event was attended by representatives from various government agencies, universities, and representatives of foreign embassies in Jakarta. In addition, this event also attended by national and international media. This event was organized as an effort to hear the experience of Viet Nam in the TPP and public discussion as a means to obtain feedback concrete and applicable steps in order to prepare the Indonesian Government policies and strategies in the face of TPP./.