US, Japan seal comprehensive trade deal

NEW YORK  – US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Washington and Tokyo had taken a major step toward sealing a comprehensive new trade deal, after a year of negotiations between the global economic powers.

Sitting next to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump said the leaders “formally announce the first stage of a phenomenal new trade agreement,” adding “this is a big chunk, but in the fairly near future we are going to have a lot more.”

As Trump and Abe met on the side of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Japanese leader said a deal would be “a win-win solution” for both nations.

Under the agreement, Japan will cut tariffs for $7 billion in US farm exports, including beef and pork, while reducing mark-ups on purchases of American wheat and barley.

In return, Washington has agreed to cut US tariffs on $40 million in Japanese agricultural goods and to ease tariff rate quotas on the country’s beef, allowing Japan to compete for a greater share of the US market.

The announcement did not resolve the thorny matter of US threats to slap tariffs on auto imports. 

But Abe, speaking later at a news conference, said he and Trump agreed that a year-old understanding not to impose auto tariffs remained in force.

“It has been firmly confirmed that no further tariffs will be imposed,” Abe said.

Trump, using the threat of tariffs, has sought a comprehensive deal to scale back the US trade deficit with Japan and benefit American farmers – whose industry helps form a key base of political support.

Trump said a trade agreement would be important to “reduce our chronic trade deficit.”

In a separate agreement, US and Japanese officials have also agreed to eliminate duties on digital products like videos, music and ebooks as well as to ensure cross-border that data transfers are barrier-free.

But Tokyo has demanded a firm commitment that Trump will not impose 25 percent duties on autos, which are vital for the sluggish Japanese economy.

After postponing an earlier deadline, Trump has given himself until Nov. 17 to decide whether to go ahead with the tariffs, a proposal which has alarmed Berlin and Tokyo.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday Japanese auto tariffs were not foremost on Trump’s mind.