Japan, US to Continue TPP Issues

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Officials from Japan and the United States have met to discuss their contentious issues in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks. Japanese Cabinet Office senior vice minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and US Trade Representative Michael Froman met in Singapore on Sunday, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) website The two officials are taking part in four days of ministerial talks of 12 Pacific Rim countries that began on Saturday The ministers are trying to lay down rules for a TPP pact During the bilateral meeting, US officials are believed to have demanded the abolition of tariffs on all products Japan is thought to have reiterated its stance that it cannot cut tariffs for five key farm items, such as rice and wheat The officials are believed to have discussed Japan's automotive sector regulations The US demands Japan ease the restrictions Japan says it cannot amend them easily After the meeting, Nishimura told reporters that he had intense, harsh exchanges on bilateral issues of concern He said the two sides asserted their views, but a wide gap remains Japanese negotiators are scheduled to attend meetings, including those of a 4-nation group Items on the agenda include environmental issues and conditions for competition between state-owned firms and private companies which are dividing developed nations and emerging economies.