Scott Parven Profiled by National Journal on Trans-Pacific Partnership
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National Journal, in its article “Bullish on Pacific Trade,” profiled Akin Gump public law and policy partner Scott Parven and his work with the Embassy of Japan on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement with the United States.
According to the article, although an agreement on Japan joining the TPP was not reached during President Obama’s visit last week, Parven is hopeful that an agreement is approaching: “Because of the importance of the deal, and the importance of the relationship, both governments are asking their core constituencies to stretch a little bit for the benefit of all.”
He went on to discuss the importance of a trade relationship with Japan: “These two countries need each other. With the ascendance of China in the region, the U.S.-Japan relationship is critical not just economically but geopolitically. There’s much at stake beyond economics in these talks. The [TPP] has implications for the relationship generally.”
The article also notes Parven’s strong belief that the TPP could become a model for modern trade agreements. “We all want the TPP to be the gold standard,” he said. “The real prize would be the inclusion of Japan.”
