DANANG, Vietnam -- Trade ministers from the 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership nations officially agreed on key aspects of the trade pact on Nov. 11, a decision they hope will shape the future of business in the Asia-Pacific region for years to come, despite the absence of the U.S. from the agreement. The signatories aim to sign the document by next spring.
After each country clears the necessary domestic procedures, the agreement is to take effect by 2019, creating an unprecedentedly expansive, multilateral free-trade agreement covering the entire Asia-Pacific region.
