US, Japan Hold Free Trade Talks Amid Impasse

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2014-04-09

The United States and Japan are holding a round of talks to resolve significant differences over a wide-ranging, Asia-Pacific free trade deal.

Talks earlier in the week appeared to break down, with Japanese officials reporting little progress in narrowing gaps.

Washington is urging Japan to further open up key agricultural markets, which have historically been protected by Tokyo.

Both sides hope to reach a deal by the time President Barack Obama visits Japan in late April.

Japan consider President Obama's visit as an important juncture but not a deadline. Japan is not considering a specific deadline for our negotiations as the most important task to us is to promote our national interest.

The U.S.-Japan disagreements have played a key role in slowing talks on the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which involves 12 nations.

The TPP talks have already extended past a 2013 deadline, and it is unclear if a consensus will be reached any time soon.

Source: Voice of America

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