Japan Seeks Europe Trade to Counter U.S. Policies

Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita said today that Japan must expand trade with Europe to avoid dependence on the United States and to offset effects of growing U.S. protectionism.

He also vowed to fight final approval of a U.S. trade bill, contending it would have a major impact on the world economy.

The prime minister leaves Friday on a seven-day trip to Europe, where he plans to meet with the leaders of Italy, Britain and West Germany. He also is scheduled to meet Pope John Paul II.

He spoke before the Senate acted on the trade bill, passed by the House, that would significantly strengthen retaliatory steps against what Washington considers unfair trade practices by other countries.

Trade Like Triangle

Takeshita compared trade between Japan and the United States and between Japan and the European Economic Community to an isosceles triangle, with first Japan and then the EEC getting the short end.

“I always have with me this drawing of a triangle to describe relations between Japan, Europe and the United States and I explain that in the first place it is necessary for us to turn the existing structure of an isosceles triangle into a regular triangle,” he told a news conference.

“Between Japan and the community it is true that in the area of trade there still exist significant imbalances. However, at the same time, it is true that conspicuous improvements have been seen. For example, in the three months January through March, (European) imports into Japan have increased by 52.9%. And we wish to further encourage this trend,” he said.

Shows Press Drawing

Afterward, he pulled the carefully folded drawing of a triangle out of his pocket and showed it to reporters.

Besides balancing trade, Takeshita said improving relations with Europe would also serve as a restraint on the United States.

“Since we do see that there will be great impact of that trade bill on the development of the world economy we shall continue with our efforts to prevent a drift of the United States toward trade protectionism by maintaining competition with the European community,” he said.