Japanese and U.S. negotiators “continued to make some progress in narrowing the gaps on treatment of a range of agricultural products,” said the U.S. trade representative’s office at the end of two days of discussions. The disagreement between the two economic giants jeopardizes the outlook for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership for freer trade. In a statement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said technical-level experts will continue to meet this week and dates for the next meeting of senior negotiators will be set in the near future.
A key point for this week’s meeting, said the news site Market Pulse, was expected to be Japan’s desire to impose safeguards against a damaging surge in imports if it lowers tariffs on beef and pork as part of a TPP agreement. Japan has said it will keep tariffs on “five sacred” products – rice, dairy, wheat, sugar, and beef and pork. U.S. farm groups say Japan must offer a substantial opening of its agricultural market if it is to be part of TPP.