US Senate approves fast-track trade authority; Burma votes to maintain military's veto power; Japanese military forces may join patrols in South China Sea; India pledges further $1 billion to Nepal reconstruction; South Africa to review membership to International Criminal Court; and more
TOP OF THE AGENDA U.S. Senate Approves Fast-Track Trade Authority U.S. senators voted 60 to 38 on Wednesday to pass (NYT) legislation that grants President Barack Obama trade promotion authority to negotiate free trade agreements. The bill helps clear the way (BBC) for the Obama administration to move forward with negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal with twelve Pacific Rim nations responsible for 40 percent of world trade. The TPP, seen as the centerpiece of Obama's rebalance to Asia, could be the largest free trade agreement in a generation. Japan welcomed (Japan Times) Congress's passing of fast-track authority, while Philippines Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said that the Philippines wants to join (Diplomat) the TPP. |
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PACIFIC RIM
Burma Votes to Keep Military Veto
Burma's parliament voted against (AP) constitutional amendments on Thursday, thereby maintaining the military's veto power and ensuring that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot run for president in elections slated for later this year. The 388 votes in favor of the amendments failed to reach the 75 percent approval threshold in the parliament required for constitutional changes.
This CFR Backgrounder tracks Burma's political evolution.
JAPAN: Japanese military forces may join (WSJ) the United States in conducting sea patrol missions in the South China Sea, according to the joint staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, who described China's land reclamation moves as a "very serious potential concern" to Japan's security.
ELSEWHERE:
India pledges further $1 billion to Nepal reconstruction
South Africa to review membership to International Criminal Court
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org