The 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade liberalization initiative are considering holding the next round of talks in Brunei in late August, sources said Saturday.
The 18th round of negotiations is currently under way in the Malaysian resort of Kota Kinabalu. Japan is expected to make its debut as the 12th member of the nearly 4-year-old talks on Tuesday, after the United States completes the requisite 90-day notification period to Congress.
Japan will be able to fully join the free trade discussions in the 19th round.