Vietnam: RCEP deal likely signed by end of year

Vietnam's trade minister said on Sunday that negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a major trade agreement among 15 Asia-Pacific countries, have reached "optimistic outcomes" and it would likely be signed by the end of the year. Tran Tuan Anh said four days of virtual meetings held via video conferencing among ASEAN economic ministers and their partners have ironed out differences and outstanding issues to complete the negotiation for the trade deal.

There will be another ministerial level meeting among RCEP partners to be held in October, Tran said, to review the progress before it can be signed off.

The ceremony is expected to take place in November when Vietnam hosts an annual summit that brings together ASEAN and Indo-Pacific leaders.

RCEP is currently being negotiated among ASEAN's 10 nations and their partners including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and South Korea.

India was one of the original negotiating partners but dropped out last year.

Tran said that the group, however, still would keep the option open for India's return.

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