US Should Rejoin CPTPP, Push Trade Deal Mega-Merger With RCEP, Former Beijing Diplomat Says

Former US President Donald Trump claimed his protectionist policies were in defense of American workers, but even while his successor, Joe Biden, has pledged to chart a separate course from Trump, he has made many of the same domestic economic promises.

At the Boao Forum for Asia in China’s Hainan Province over the weekend, a former leading Chinese diplomat suggested Washington could play a key role in uniting two Pacific-centered free trade agreements, if only it would join them.

Long Yongtu, a former Chinese vice-minister of international trade who led the country’s negotiations to join the World Trade Organization in 2001, said in Boao on Monday the recently inaugurated Biden administration could “adopt a more positive attitude towards multilateralism” by rejoining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) “so that the entire Asia-Pacific region will be very happy,” according to the South China Morning Post.

“The participation of the US would definitely be good news for the Asian regional economic integration. We need to convey such a message to the US president,” Long said, adding, “if the US cannot become a part of the Asia-Pacific trade agreement, it will be a heavy blow to the unity and cooperation of the entire Asia-Pacific region.”

Under former US President Barack Obama, Washington played a formative role in drafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), but just three days after Donald Trump took office in January 2017, he pulled the US out of the agreement as part of what became a wide-reaching protectionist policy. The remaining 11 signatories later agreed to revive the deal as the CPTPP without the US, which included shredding nearly two dozen provisions the US had included but other states didn’t want.

Although significantly larger than CTPP, the RECP agreement contains significant overlap in terms of membership, although with the important addition of the People’s Republic of China. Several US allies and partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, are a part of both deals. Signed in November 2020, the deal contains 30% of the world’s population and 30% of its gross domestic product, making it the largest trade deal in history.

“The ball is in the US’ court,” Long said. “If the US adopts a positive attitude towards regional cooperation in the entire Asia-Pacific region, the prospect of merging the RCEP and TPP will be a matter of course.”

https://sputniknews.com/asia/202104191082674871-us-should-rejoin-cptpp-push-trade-deal-mega-merger-with-rcep-former-beijing-diplomat-says/

Scottie Pippen’s oldest son, Antron, dead at 33

The NBA Hall of Famer, 55, confirmed the news in matching posts on both Instagram and Twitter, explaining the special bond they shared, and his son’s battle with chronic asthma. Pippen did not list a cause of death.

“I’m heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron. The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game,” Pippen wrote alongside photos with Antron, who he said would’ve had a successful NBA career if it weren’t for issues with his health.

“Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would’ve made it to the NBA. He never let that get him down, though — Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became.”

Pippen went on to request that fans keep Antron’s mother, Karen McCollum, his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.

“A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again,” Pippen concluded.

Antron was the eldest of Pippen’s eight children and the only child Pippen had with McCollum.

Antron, born on Dec. 29, 1987, played basketball for Texas A&M International University before he signed with the Upstate Heat of the World Basketball Association, according to Marie Claire, which profiled Pippen’s family in January 2021.

https://nypost.com/2021/04/19/scottie-pippens-oldest-son-antron-pippen-dead-at-33/

Man connected to FBI accused of paying woman to sexually assault son with disabilities

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A man who worked alongside FBI agents to help protect them is now accused of paying a Cleveland County mother to sexually assault her son with disabilities.

Some neighbors in the York County neighborhood where Joseph Tippett lived said they saw his arrest late last month and heard of the charge – criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

But resident Rosa Leger said she was shocked to learn Tippett reportedly paid the Cleveland County mother for sex with her teenage son.

“It’s scary. It’s really scary,” Leger said. “This is big. You have kids biking in the street. It’s a lot of kids in this area. To think, something this terrifying has happened to a child not that far away.”

Tippett worked for a firm providing security for the FBI and federal buildings. According to the arrest warrant, the FBI contacted local law enforcement the investigation and went with investigators to the mother’s home near King’s Mountain.

Documents show that while the mother was speaking with investigators, she admitted she knew Tippett, who used an alias, was taking her son for sex. Officials said he paid $30 to $40 at a time, totaling $250.

It began when her son, who has a developmental disability, was 15 years old.

According to the warrant, her son stayed sometimes two to three weeks at Tippett’s home with a security camera mounted in the window.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/man-connected-fbi-accused-paying-woman-sexually-assault-son-with-disabilities/LQXP7O4GLJHPFC2OQ6BKE7RMGA/