TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP)
Negotiations continue toward a high-standard, broad-based Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, including Vietnam. Enhancement of copyright protection and enforcement standards, building upon those agreed to by current U.S. FTA partners, Australia, Singapore, Chile, and Peru, and found in the more recent in-force agreement with Korea, should be extended to other countries in the region through the TPP. Such an outcome will contribute to U.S. job growth, increase exports, and facilitate continued economic stabilization in line with the Administration’s goals. Vietnam has taken strides in its substantive laws which will make meeting the legal and enforcement obligations of previous U.S. free trade agreement IPR chapters less challenging. At the same time, many gaps remain, and some recent changes threaten to move Vietnam further from those standards. In addition, Vietnam has some of the most restrictive market access barriers in the world. IIPA urges USTR to seek through the TPP negotiations opportunities to address the range of market access impediments identified herein and in prior IIPA submissions. The TPP E-Commerce chapter and market access provisions for services and investment should require Vietnam not only to eliminate discriminatory taxes and policies, but also to open Vietnam’s market to foreign competition including in the creative and cultural sectors. We remain hopeful that Vietnam’s participation in TPP negotiations will aid in eliminating discriminatory barriers, as well as bringing its copyright law and enforcement regime into alignment with evolving global norms.