Japan, U.S. fail to make headway in TPP talks

U.S. and Japanese differences over agricultural tariffs are one of the major hurdles facing the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and time is running out to find a way forward at the latest round of talks which wrap up in Singapore on Tuesday.

Many people here in the states voiced concerns about letting Japan into the discussions because they felt Japan's intransigence on agriculture would unnecessarily bog down the talks. Looks like they may have been right.

Not mentioned in this article is that some on the U.S side are suggesting Japan be excluded and that negotiations should continue with other nations. Using words such as "sacred" and expressions like "we won't budge a millimetre" just shows how Japan wants to get everything in exchange for nothing. Every JT reader who has been to Japan knows that the price differences between farm products in Japan and the U.S/Canada is borderline stupid. 10kg of Californian rice is about 10US$ at Costco. The same 10kg of Japanese rice in Tokyo is over 30US$. Not to mention the 1$ Apples, 10$ steaks etc. I just hope the U.S won't let Japan get away with this. Japan should be excluded of the talks.

Well this was expected.

Japan, U.S. fail to make headway in TPP talks

Best news I've heard in days!

Both countries have upcoming domestic political considerations (the US has midterm elections) so it's a careful dance between the two.

I cannot understand the problem here or the need for negotiations or discussions, to me it is very simple, Free Trade means NO tariffs, if you want tariffs on anything then you do not / can not join the TPP. Protectionism is dead.

There are other nations involved in the TPP why is it all about what US and Japan want ?

I just wonder why the US and others would not kick Japan out of TPP talks if Japan doesn't agree. TPP seems to be very good without Japan that doesn't want free trade.

TPP between the USA and Japan will not work. The Japanese will not bend on protecting their agricultural markets and the U.S. will not agree without major concessions.

From what I've read in the U.S. media T.P.P. is chock full of under the table deals between Big Banks,& Big Buisness with only the short-end for the everyman as well as giving legality to some dubious drafts in Washington -Be Careful what you wish for!

I hope they kill this off as soon as possible.

TPP is NOT about free trade. It's now about who wields the most trade power, and the US objective is to provide that power to as many US corporations as possible.

When you zero tariffs completely, to devastating it is a company of the United States side.

The Japanese side, you do not need to participate in the TPP is guilty of risk.

Cash financial assets of 1500 trillion yen held by Japan, there is a charm and a very large force.

Japan is a friend India and ASEAN.　The TPP "Japan is the U.S. side" became a gesture that, but the benefits of the Japanese side low.