(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Japan and the United States remain divided over farm tariffs in their bilateral talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement.
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Akira Amari, who is in charge of TPP affairs, met US Trade Representative Michael Froman in Singapore on Saturda
Cabinet ministers from 12 countries began a 4-day meeting there to seek a broad agreement on the TPP accord, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) websit
Amari conveyed to Froman Japan's intention to work further on five key farm product categories, including rice and whea
The two countries held working-level talks in Tokyo until Thursda
He said the new proposals would include dramatic cuts in tariffs or their abolition, and urged the US to make concession
Froman reiterated the US demand that tariffs should be abolished on almost all items in principl
He said the US cannot accept unless Japan reduces tariffs on beef from the current 38.5% to about 1
Amari told reporters that Japan has shown flexibility, but the US demands appear to be almost the same as befor
The two countries are set to continue working-level negotiations to prepare for another meeting between Amari and Froman, in conjunction with ministerial TPP talk
But some members of the Japanese delegation have expressed concern that the ministers may not be able to reach a broad agreement at the ongoing talks
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