politics

Japan-U.S. trade talks to test Tokyo's negotiation skills

34 Comments
By Noriyuki Suzuki

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34 Comments
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Skill test ? I believe it is a skin test, whose skin is thick.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

yeah Japan it is tough to negotiate when you have been ripping off the other side and half of your economy is tied up in their country...

you might have to actually experience what the FREE in free trade means in reality.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

First lets look at "TPP". The actual TPP agreement was negotiated behind closed doors and no one really knew its details until they were fully announced. And you can bet, Japan, during the negotiations, "left no stone unturned" in protecting its domestic markets.... they never do. If Japan is extremely skillful at anything, it is negotiating trade agreements. They make it sound like they've got to be vigilant so as to not to lose to the American negotiators. The Australian's already caved to Japanese negotiators with their approval of TPP. They settled for another watered down agreement were it would take years before they truly had access to Japanese markets and even then, if numbers exceeded certain benchmarks, things would immediately throttle down. What I'd like to see... the ability for regular consumers and businesses to have easy import access to goods from around the world without having to go through a massive amount of paperwork and deal with the complicated logistics once product arrives at Japanese docks. "Caveat Emptor", let the buyer beware. Give the Japanese enough credit to be smart enough to make their own choices. There is a saying in the USA, "you get what you pay for". So if you do buy a shirt for Y500, yes, it is probably garbage but you had a choice. Now, you could also look at Northern European countries... they have very strict standards and you have little choice when buying many products. So why can they do that? Because the export practically nothing. Now, if they were export juggernauts like Japan, then they'd have to import more, just to be fair to the countries they sell to. Trade should be about fairness.... you can't export everywhere and expect to keep your own markets protected.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Japan's tariffs only benefit the farmers not the consumer and "national interests". Let the consumer decide. Quite positive Japan's produce is might higher quality.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The U.S. government presently pays about $25 billion in cash annually to farmers. America is in no position to complain.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

There is only one way to do business with Japan, and that is the Japanese way of doing business.

Make these impostors bend to our way. They need us more than we need idiot americans.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Reasonable diplomacy. But...?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The United States and China are predators.

Japan needs retake your Central Bank and educate its own people the advantage of being a independent nation.

If this happens Japan could have a Real Prime Minister and send back 48,000 soldiers to your motherland.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If there's no buyer for seller it isn't commerce, the most complicated part is the political interferences, there's no free trade in any country only with exception of free zones. Let every business people/companies submit documents to the government for more fairness in commerce, to business goes smoothly. Probably another 10 or 20 years, or probably when Trump leaves the government in USA.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

At this day and age, both countries are aware of each other's needs and possible objectives economically, politically and socially. From the aging population to the drastic changes in technology affecting the entire economic system of each country and the effects of international sources for trade, there is much to consider.

Because of the wars and subsequent relationship, US and Japan may know each other better than other nations may think. "Know thy enemy" was and still is an important part of any war. That covered everything from culture to economics.

Given that, because there is no interference from other nations as in TPP, the negotiation can proceed rather efficiently if domestic politics for both nation do not interfere.

The only concern will be how the negotiated deals can affect other countries. What may be beneficial for both countries may be detrimental to other countries.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japan is caught between rocks (US, China) and a hard place. But Trump will be gone in 3 or 7 years, so maybe things will return to normal. Japan already has one foot in China just in case.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

One more point. It would help if the US made stuff Japanese want.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan is expected to stress the advantages of multilateral trade frameworks

This is at the same time Japan enters a bilateral trade deal with the EU?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Prediction.... the U.S. and Japan will enter Negotiations regarding a new trade deal and ZERO will come of it because Japan will not budge. After the Negotiations FAIL, the USA will increase tariffs on all Japanese made products entering the USA. Which will give U.S. Made Cars and Trucks a major advantage over Japanese. Trade, in the future, will be about reciprocation, not a one way deal.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan has been playing its role as a flag-bearer for free trade.

With 900% tariffs on imported rice. Is this a joke?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

(But Japan won't make an agreement that goes against its national interests with any country," Motegi told reporters.)

A two way street. Lighthizer will not make an agreement that goes against the national interests of the United States pf America.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There is a saying in the USA, "you get what you pay for". So if you do buy a shirt for Y500, yes, it is probably garbage but you had a choice. Now, you could also look at Northern European countries... they have very strict standards and you have little choice when buying many products. So why can they do that? Because the export practically nothing. Now, if they were export juggernauts like Japan, then they'd have to import more, just to be fair to the countries they sell to. Trade should be about fairness.... you can't export everywhere and expect to keep your own markets protected.

Now you should have a look at the Northern European countries.... ok

they have very strict standards ... true, just strict..

*So why can they do that? Because they export practically nothing ... Huh?*

Belgium export of goods and service counts for 85.1 % of the GDP

Germany 47.2 %

Netherlands 86.5 %

Denmark 55.2%

Sweden 45.3%

Finland 38.6 %

Norway 35.5 %

*Japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

(But if Japan continues to uphold free trade, it needs to urge the United States to drop the plan in the first place," Sugawara said.)

FREE TRADE! This is a laughing joke, as Japan has targeted for many years American industries with unfair trade practices and also is one of the most protectionist countries in the world.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

FREE TRADE! This is a laughing joke, as Japan has targeted for many years American industries with unfair trade practices

The US has benefited greatly from Japanese trade, resulting in the US winning, with the biggest economy in the world. The US has been winning in US/Japanese trade.

also is one of the most protectionist countries in the world.

After the US, which highly subsidizes its farmers.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

"The US has benefited greatly from Japanese trade, resulting in the US winning,"

The U.S. had a $69 billion trade deficit with Japan in 2017. That's not winning, Stranger.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

So many comments going different ways to relate TPP or USA/JPN bilateral free trade agreement on going. USA is completely away to be a member of TPP and the only way USA/JPN continue trading is to break down the political barriers, isn't that the problem? If American buyers/clients/customers want the Japanese product they should claim government and submit documents to White House to business goes smoothly. Isn't that the best way to USA govt. follows the USA public needs? If not, USA has to try to produce everything by themselves, higher costs will appear in many aspects, workers higher wages and materials only in USA can't be easily produced...Is that better to USA economy stagnate and industries to be isolated by themselves? The purposes of trade fees of any imported products to USA means equivalent to public taxation balance on domestic economy. Only to think that Trump wants to finish that Great Wall with Mexico in his period of governing he needs the budget from those tariffs than getting from own citizen tax-payers, isn't that what those mean?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

(The U.S. had a $69 billion trade deficit with Japan in 2017. That's not winning, Stranger.

This deficit year after year and there are those that absolutely refuse to recognize this.

Trump is shooting from the hip for a trade agreement with Japan that is fair to both countries.

Many do not understand Trump, calling him insulting names, does not improving their understanding or impress others.

Trump will not back down, he going for a fair playing field- that is truly free and fair trade.

0

1 ( +1 / -0 )

also is one of the most protectionist countries in the world.

After the US, which highly subsidizes its farmers.

Plus that they are promised another $ 12 billion to compensate the Chinese buying less US soybeans.

What's happening now is that after Juncker visited Trump recently to make some deal and one of the outcomes is that the EU will buy more US soybeans. This part of the deal is a real joke as the EU is a mature, read non growing soy market.

What's really is happening is that China is buying more in Brazil and the Brazilians , already delivering 30% of the Chinese demand, is of course willing to do that. This has consequences for the European buyers as they have to pay more for a bushel. With US beans, who are use to be delivered to China going to the EU, the US farmer is relieved and the EU receives cheap beans. You would say a win-win for both but actually it's the EU and China leaning back while processing the demanded beans. Only Trump thinks that he made progress.

For Corporate America it's business as usual too, as they control most of the supply chains globally.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

is = are **

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One option for all involved is to wait until Trump is no longer in office, in 2020, or sooner, if we are lucky.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One option for all involved is to wait until Trump is no longer in office, in 2020, or sooner, if we are lucky.

Waiting it out is the prudent thing to do, now that Trump has shown that the word of the US is about as good as toilet paper you flush without thought, by breaking agreements the US has made just because a different president made the agreements. No longer can the word of America be trusted beyond the current administration, and as such, the results of the 2020 election need to be waited for before any agreements with America should be made.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The U.S. had a $69 billion trade deficit with Japan in 2017. That's not winning, Stranger.

Um, please explain how a trade deficit shows that the US is not winning. Make sure you include how it’s not winning even though the US ended up with the strongest economy in the world.

I’ve explained a very simple economic concept to you multiple times, and you keep expressing the same untruths. Ok, maybe you’re right then. I’m open to the idea. But since it goes against everting I’ve learned about trade and economics, you’ll need to explain the concept to me.

But considering you’ve never backed up a single claim yet with any kind of argument, I’m suspecting you’ll just ignore this and keep parroting the falsehoods you’ve been told to believe.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Trump will not back down

And that’s his right. In the meantime the rest of the world will let him have his tantrum in the corner, while the rest of us work around the US altogether.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Belgium export of goods and service counts for 85.1 % of the GDP

Germany 47.2 %

Netherlands 86.5 %

Denmark 55.2%

Sweden 45.3%

Finland 38.6 %

Norway 35.5 %

Those numbers are sign of weakness not strength. Those numbers show without external demand Europe is in deep trouble, which it is. Moreover, most of Europe's exports go to follow EU countries. Japan's export to GNP is about 18%, which means Japan has a more balanced economy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Those numbers are sign of weakness not strength. Those numbers show without external demand Europe is in deep trouble, which it is. Moreover, most of Europe's exports go to follow EU countries. Japan's export to GNP is about 18%, which means Japan has a more balanced economy.

The EU has an internal market with no tariff barriers whatsoever.

To the rest of the world the EU member countries present themselves as one to the outside world. Did you miss the 'cheese deal' 2 weeks ago which was pre cooked in juli 2017?

So the external demand is in fact merely an internal demand and the union as a whole with the new merging economies would give a what you call more balanced economy.

You forget that the EU has a strong manufacturing sector that can compete with anyone.

The productivity and efficiency of the workers in the developed part of the EU is way higher than the J worker. Together with a tight labor market with limited influx and a backward position of the woman it's clear that there's more reason for Japan to be in 'deep trouble'...

Most member countries in the developed part of the EU score higher on income or purchasing power than Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

(The U.S. had a $69 billion trade deficit with Japan in 2017. That's not winning, Stranger.)

Is someone trying to tell me this is not true.

The article is about trade and tariffs, not world economies.

America does not like outsiders trying to sway votes for coming elections.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The article is about trade and tariffs, not world economies.

Kind of go hand in hand. Japan and other countries must counter dastardly US tariffs. It will harm all economies involved, of course. The working classes and poor being the most affected but the clown pretending to be President doesn't care about them.

America does not like outsiders trying to sway votes for coming elections.

Unless the outsiders are based in Moscow, of course.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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