- Title: Japan businesses say they are concerned over Trump's trade protectionism
- Date: 23rd January 2017
- Summary: JAPAN, TOKYO (JANUARY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) HEAD OF JAPAN'S BUSINESS LOBBY KEIDANREN, SADAYUKI SAKAKIBARA, WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM SIGN READING (English): "KEIDANREN POLICY & ACTION" (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HEAD OF JAPAN'S BUSINESS ASSOCIATION KEIDANREN, SADAYUKI SAKAKIBARA, SAYING: "I have a great concern over Trump's inauguration speech, where he emphasized that protecting domestic industries would bring prosperity and strength to the U.S." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HEAD OF JAPAN'S BUSINESS LOBBY KEIDANREN, SADAYUKI SAKAKIBARA, SAYING: "I believe TPP trade pact has yet to die completely, so we'd like to appeal to the strategic and economic importance of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade pact along with the other 11 countries in order to achieve it." JOURNALIST TAKING NOTES NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 6th February 2017 09:45
- Keywords: Donald Trump TPP trade protectionism Sadayuki Sakakibara Keidanren
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Reuters ID: LVA00160AWVBH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The head of Japan's biggest business association Keidanren, Sadayuki Sakakibara on Monday (January 23) expressed concern over Trump's trade protectionism, adding he does not believe the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact is 'yet dead.'
"I have a great concern over Trump's inauguration speech, where he emphasized that protecting domestic industries would bring prosperity and strength to the U.S.," Sakakibara said.
Soon after Trump's inauguration on Friday (January 20), a White House statement said its trade strategy to protect American jobs would start with the withdrawal from the 12-nation TPP trade pact.
The TPP, which the United States signed but has not ratified, had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region in the face of a fast-rising China.
"I believe TPP trade pact has yet to die completely, so we'd like to appeal to the strategic and economic importance of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade pact along with the other 11 countries in order to achieve it," said Sakakibara, adding that the most important thing for the new government is to continue free and fair trade.
Earlier today, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament that the newly inaugurated President understands the importance of free and fair trade and would keep pitching a multinational trade pact. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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