Posted May 21, 2014
In recent talks, Japan told trading partners involved
in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations that it will not abolish
tariffs in the five agricultural sectors it considers sacred, according to an
article by AgProfessional available here.
The 12 countries concluded a two-day meeting in
Singapore on the trade deal, hoping to make progress since the meeting last
month. Japan’s economy minister, Akira
Amari, however, said that despite progress with the U.S., Japan will not agree
to abolish tariffs on “wheat, rice, dairy, sugar, beef and pork.”
“I think Japan, as well as other countries, are
vigorously pushing forward with bilateral ministerial meetings,” Amari told
reporters.
The original goal of the TPP “was to abolish all
tariffs among member countries,” according to an article by Reuters available here. The agreement also aims to set common rules
on issues such as labor and intellectual property.
Malaysian Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed said: “There
has been some progress. Of course it is
not entirely satisfactory. We have some
way to go on market access issues.”
Further talks between Japan and the U.S. on farm
exports are scheduled to take place in Washington next week.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said the
United States is still pressing for tariff elimination to the “maximum extent
possible.”
For more information on international trade, please
visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
