UNITED STATES : U.S. OFFICIALS PRESSURE JAPAN TO OPEN ITS CAR MARKETS TO MORE FOREIGN IMPORTS

Record ID: 337816

  • Title: UNITED STATES : U.S. OFFICIALS PRESSURE JAPAN TO OPEN ITS CAR MARKETS TO MORE FOREIGN IMPORTS
  • Date: 17th April 1995
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (APRIL 17, 1995) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV OF UNITED STATES AND JAPANESE DELEGATIONS IN MEETING 0.04 2. SV U.S. UNDERSECRETARY OF COMMERCE JEFFREY GARTEN AND COUNSEL TO THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IRA SHAPIRO SHAKE HANDS WITH MASAHIDE OCHI 0.24 3. SV MASAHIDE OCHI, TRANSPORT VICE MINISTER AT CONFERENCE TABLE 0.28 4. SCU CAMERAMAN 0.32 5. SCU MASAHIDE OCHI SPEAKING OUTSIDE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ADMITTING THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, BUT SAYING THERE ARE SOME POSITIVE POINTS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS (JAPANESE) 1.23 6. SV JAPANESE DELEGATION DEPARTS COMMERCE DEPARTMENT BUILDING 1.38 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 2nd May 1995 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAEAR3WH2KO8KON9FRXPUT0X69
  • Story Text: United States officials on Monday (April 17) pressured Japan to open its car and car-parts markets to more foreign imports, calling the current trade practices unacceptable and hinted at possible sanctions.

    The get-tough stance by U.S. officials reflects a growing frustration that, after nearly two years of discussions on opening Japan's car and parts markets to more U.S.-made products, the two sides remain far apart.

    Trade in cars and car parts accounts for about two-thirds of the 60 billion U.S.-dollar U.S. trade deficit with Japan.

    Undersecretary of Commerce Jeffrey Garten and the general counsel to the U.S. trade representative, Ira Shapiro, met on Monday afternoon with Transport Vice Minister Masahide Ochi and Vice Minister of International Trade Yoshihiro Sakamoto. Talks were to continue on Tuesday (April 18).

    Transport Vice Minister and leader of the Japanese delegation, Masahide Ochi declined to comment on specific issues after Monday's meetings, but did say there were some positive elements in the day's talks. Admitting to differences, he said Tuesday's meeting would focus on lessening the gaps.

    Failure to reach agreement could prompt Washington to take the step of imposing punitive tariffs on billions of dollars in Japanese imports, but officials were reluctant to discuss that possibility.

    Tokyo has vowed to take the dispute to the new World Trade Organisation in Geneva if Washington imposes sanctions. Japanese officials have argued that their markets are open to foreign competition and that the government cannot negotiate purchase agreements by Japanese manufacturers.

    Low expectations from the talks pushed the dollar downward in world currency markets. Traders were concerned that Washington would use the lower dollar to pressure Japan into making a deal on the auto trade dispute.


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