With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:

1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involved 12 Pacific-Rim countries: the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Peru.

It was not an agreement among all Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. There are over 50 Pacific Rim countries, and only 12 were part of the TPP.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The TPP was primarily a trade bloc, aiming to reduce tariffs and promote trade among member countries. It was not solely for maritime security purposes.

Hence, neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.

Sources:

• USTR.gov - Trans-Pacific Partnership