Japan

Trade law calls for “outreach to small businesses across the U.S. to better understand important concerns regarding trade with these markets and how trade agreements would benefit small businesses.”

“It’s very vital for Japan to maintain independent monetary policy.”

Trade ministers from the U.S., EU and Japan focused on non-market oriented policies and practices during a meeting in Washington, DC, this week, and instructed staff to finalize text on industrial subsidies in hopes of engaging other World Trade Organization members on the issue this spring, according to a joint statement.

The Trump administration will have its hands full in 2019, with new talks slated to begin with Brussels, Tokyo, London and potentially more, as well as the implementation of a revised deal with South Korea. The fate of the U.S.-Mexico -Canada Agreement will also be determined next year by a new Congress.

A look at a range of industry desires for upcoming U.S. objectives.

A U.S.-Japan free trade deal should include adequate currency protections, address differences in vehicle standards and facilitate smoother customs procedures, industry representatives said during a Monday hearing on potential negotiating objectives.

The U.S. International Trade Commission on Thursday asked industry representatives and others how the elimination of tariffs on autos and trucks from Japan would impact production in the U.S., with one commissioner predicting autos would be a major focus for the ITC in its assessment of a potential deal.

USTR has not yet charged the ITC with studying other potential trade deals with the EU and UK.