Some still hope for the eventual return of the United States to the deal ditched by US President Donald Trump, because of his readiness to shift position on other issues, Malaysia's trade minister said.
Talks are happening on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting, the biggest trade gathering since Trump upended the world order with his "America First" policy.
The competing visions are evident at this weekend's Apec meeting of ministers from countries that account for well over 40 per cent of world trade.
While new US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will hold bilateral talks with key countries, China will be pushing its favoured Asian trade agreement as it puts itself forward as a global free trade champion.
Japan is leading the countries that still want to persist with the much more comprehensive TPP agreement, abandoned by Trump in one of his first acts in office and which does not include China.
Sources close to the discussions said the so-called TPP-11 nations - the 11 left after the United States withdrew - were planning a statement of commitment to the pact.
"There will be two main points: 1. To aim for an early entry into force of the TPP-11 2. To bear in mind an environment where a signatory country can return," said one source close to the discussions who was not authorised to speak to the media.
The agreement is due to take effect next year.
CHALLENGES
Among the challenges is keeping on board Vietnam and Malaysia, which would have been big beneficiaries from the agreement if it included the United States.
Some renegotiation would be needed for the deal to proceed without the United States, Malaysian Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed told Reuters. A Vietnamese official expressed a similar view.
Mustapa said there was optimism the United States would return one day, because Trump had shown readiness to shift his position on other matters, such as softening his stance towards China.
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