President Obama, Abe Declare Progress, But No Breakthrough, On Trade

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared progress Tuesday in trade talks between their two nations, stopping short of announcing a breakthrough in negotiations that are central to a massive 12-nation trade deal that would open markets around the Pacific rim to U.S. exports.

Obama conceded the domestic obstacles both he and Abe face to concluding a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, but said the deal would be an integral component of his effort to increase U.S. influence in Asia and expand markets for U.S. exports.
Obama says U.S. - Japan alliance not a provocation to China

President Barack Obama told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe he shared Japan's concerns about China's assertive behavior in maritime disputes with its neighbors. (Reuters)

"The politics around trade can be hard in both our countries," Obama, who faces stiff resistance from members of his own party, said during a Rose Garden news conference with Abe. "It's never fun passing a trade bill in this town."

Referring to the trade barriers on vehicles that have been one of the main sticking points in the U.S-Japan trade talks, Obama said: "There are many Japanese cars in America, I want to see more American cars in Japan as well."

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-japan-prime-minister-at-white-house-20150428-story.html

[DJ13]

1. But No Breakthrough, On Trade

Good.

[okaawhatever]

2. I thought they had already agreed to phase out the tariffs on American cars. I know they've made

concessions on their food products. I hope they drop the import tariff on American made cars.