Japan

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.

A joint proposal on transparency issued by the United States, European Union, Japan, Argentina and Costa Rica would strip members of the World Trade Organization of their rights in the body if they fail to live up to the notification commitments prescribed in the WTO agreements.

Thailand, South Korea and the United Kingdom have expressed interest.