Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura emphasized today that the meeting between Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer next week is not a prelude to a bilateral free trade agreement.
Nishimura reiterated the government’s stance that “Japan does not desire an FTA and these talks are not at all preliminary discussions on an FTA.” Though he noted that “We will be looking for the best path for both the United States and Japan.”
In additional he also ruled out setting a quantitative limit on auto exports to the US. He said “whether it’s exports or imports, we will not set numerical targets.” And, “the fundamental thing is to maintain free and fair trade.”
Regarding the threat of auto tariffs from Trump, Nishimura said “raising tariffs on autos would have a big impact on the world economy and would be a big minus for the American economy, so we want to talk firmly so that does not happen.”
Japan has been very clear on their intention to bring the US back to the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership pact which Trump quitted as one of the first things he did after taking office.
