Japan-U.S. Trade negotiations, delayed signing of agreements are also a request for commitment from Japan over automobile tariffs

[UN / Washington 23rd Reuters]-Japan-US trade negotiations are at a loss in the last minute. The leaders of the two countries are aiming to sign the agreement document that received the framework agreement in August at a meeting held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. There is a possibility that it will be delayed because it asked the US government to make a commitment not to introduce new tariffs.

The trade negotiations between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Trump in principle agreed in August include expanding access to the Japanese market by the US agricultural sector and reducing tariffs on industrial products.

However, it does not include tariffs imposed on Japanese cars by the United States or changes to trade rules related to the automobile sector.

So far, President Trump has not put into practice the warning of imposing up to 25% tariffs on cars and parts in Japan and Europe.

The New York Times (NYT) newspaper has urged Japan to include a “sunset clause” that would revoke the benefits of the US trade agreement if Trump introduced tariffs on Japanese cars. Reported.

A Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said he still wanted to reach a trade agreement by the end of September and expressed his view that there was still time to deal with unresolved issues.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Mogi and LightHeiser US Trade Representative (USTR) will meet in New York on the evening of 23rd to discuss these issues.

According to executives from two automakers, Japan expressed concern over signing documents without a commitment from the United States to forego tariffs on Japanese cars because the US would benefit from a concession in the agricultural sector. is doing.

As a result, the signing of the agreement may be delayed for several weeks.