U.S., Japan agree to new car, glass talks<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (Reuter): The United States and Japan agreed here
\nyesterday to resume talks aimed at opening Tokyo's prized car
\nmarket and decided to try again to strike a long-awaited glass
\ndeal.<\/p>\n
U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor secured the commitment
\nto new negotiations after a two-hour meeting with his Japanese
\ncounterpart, Ryutaro Hashimoto.<\/p>\n
"Our meeting was very positive," said Kantor. "We have agreed
\nto re-engage on the full range of auto and auto parts issues."<\/p>\n
Hashimoto, who refused to comment, and Kantor are here for
\nbroader Asia-Pacific talks. Their session stretched far longer
\nthan scheduled but the surprise break was a welcome start to the
\nAsia-Pacific meetings, which aim to pave the way toward regional
\nfree trade.<\/p>\n
"It's always helpful to meet. We will move forwardly as
\nrapidly as we can," said Kantor, noting there were "separate
\npotential solutions" to each part of the sprawling car sector.<\/p>\n
Cars, car parts and replacement parts make up 60 percent of
\nthe lopsided trade flow between the United States and Japan,
\ndespite repeated efforts to strike a deal and cut the US$60
\nbillion imbalance.<\/p>\n
As all attempts at agreement floundered, Kantor and Hashimoto
\nhave engaged this past month in a flurry of letter-writing to try
\nand break a recent hiatus in negotiations.<\/p>\n
Now, said Kantor, "we are going to follow up".<\/p>\n
He said no time had been set for the car talks but lower level
\nofficials would meet on Dec. 5 and 6 to try to iron out remaining
\ndifferences over Japan's $4.5 billion flat glass market.<\/p>\n
But he stressed the U.S. goal in trade talks with Japan was a
\nlong-term one.<\/p>\n
"You can't expect an appreciable decline in the trade
\nimbalance in the near term," Kantor told Reuters earlier
\nyesterday. "It's a long-term quest. This is not a pursuit for
\nthose who are impatient."<\/p>\n
He said the United States was poised to shift tack in its
\nlong-running trade feud with Tokyo and start attacking the red
\ntape that restricts business in Japan.<\/p>\n
Already, Kantor said, the administration had compiled a long
\nlist of the rules and regulations that impeded free trade and
\nplaned to open negotiations over the matter in the very near
\nfuture.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-japan-agree-to-new-car-glass-talks-1447902657",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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