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US-JAPAN-ECONOMY-TARIFF
Trump says initial tariff deal agreed with Japan
WASHINGTON, Sept 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – President Donald Trump on Monday said
the United States had reached an initial agreement on tariffs with Japan,
after often claiming that Tokyo has had an unfair advantage in bilateral
trade.
Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month said the deal was
close to being completed, and that they hoped for a formal signing during the
UN General Assembly later in September.
“I am pleased to report that my Administration has reached an initial trade
agreement regarding tariff barriers… with Japan,” Trump said in a letter to
Congress released by the White House.
“I intend to enter into the agreement in the coming weeks.”
Trump added that further negotiations would be held with Japan to secure
“a comprehensive trade agreement that results in more fair and reciprocal
trade.”
The statement said an agreement had also been reached on digital trade, but
it gave no details about US tariffs on Japanese cars.
US officials have previously said the tariff agreement would benefit US
farmers hit by the US-China trade war and who are an important group of
voters for Trump’s re-election bid in 2020.
Abe, an ally of Trump’s, last month said the two nations had reached
consensus after “intense” negotiations.
BSS/AFP/SR/1920 HRS