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.
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