politics

Froman, Motegi agree to work toward concluding TPP deal this year

8 Comments

Visiting U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Sunday agreed to work toward speeding up Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade negotiations with the aim of concluding an agreement by the end of the year.

Japan formally joined the United States and 10 other Asia-Pacific nations in negotiations to create a major new trade bloc during the 18th round of talks in Malaysia last month. With the addition of Japan, the 12 countries would account for some 40 percent of world trade volume.

The other 10 countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Motegi and Froman will attend ministerial level talks on the TPP in Brunei on Thursday.

Autos remain one of the thorniest issues in trade relations between Japan and the U.S. Before arriving in Japan, Froman told reporters: "Right now, all foreign penetration of the Japanese auto market is 6% and so I think everyone believes there is a long way to go before we can really say the Japanese market is open."

The U.S. side wants Japan to eliminate all existing non-tariff barriers in that keep American autos out, such as discriminatory taxes, onerous vehicle certification procedures for imports and complex safety and pollution standards.

© Japan Today/AP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

8 Comments
Login to comment

discriminatory taxes

...that encourage motorists to choose more environmentally-friendly vehicles (far from unique to Japan);

vehicle certification procedures for imports

...just like the EU has;

complex safety and pollution standards

...once again, hardly unique to Japan.

American motorists, deserve better engineered, greener cars than Detroit currently offers. It's high time to sell off those profitable truck divisions that subsidize mediocre product in other segments.

Time to wow us, Motown! Think and act like winners, not aggrieved losers.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Good luck!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The US is also trying to force their essentially unlimited copyright period and other onerous IP rules down everyone's throats. Rules that were only implemented due to bribery of US politicians.

Other countries should stand up to the US and refuse to lengthen the already ridiculously long copyright period.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The U.S. side wants Japan to eliminate all existing non-tariff barriers in that keep American autos out, such as discriminatory taxes, onerous vehicle certification procedures for imports and complex safety and pollution standards.

So, they want Japanese roads filled with poorly built gas guzzling cars that pollute and are unsafe?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It might be a good thing that could work in reverse. Few Japanese would buy those US gaisha which might send a strong signal to make cars that burn less and don't break down.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No deal!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

US cars are left side hande large cars for Japanese narrow streets. .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Greed will prevail. The corporations have deep pockets and politicians are always open to a bribe. The US are masters at bullying their way into markets.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites