Exports Pact Unlikely Before Toronto Summit, Yeutter Says

U.S. Trade Representative Clayton K. Yeutter said Thursday that he doubts the United States and Japan can reach agreement on American beef and citrus exports before the Toronto economic summit.

Yeutter also said Japan and other Asian trading partners must realize that they are powerful economic members of the world community and must accept added responsibilities in trade.

At a White House briefing on the Toronto summit, which starts Sunday, Yeutter said U.S. and Japanese negotiators have been holding around-the-clock talks in Tokyo on U.S. efforts to boost beef and citrus sales in Japan. But, Yeutter said, he is not encouraged that a quick settlement is pending.

Criticism ‘Not Surprising’

“Our delegation is . . . somewhat pessimistic at this point because of continued Japanese insistence on programs that we believe violate the spirit of GATT.” GATT--the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade--governs the trade of 96 countries.

Yeutter said he would go to Tokyo to put the finishing touches on a beef and citrus agreement, but “only if it becomes apparent to me that we have a settlement in sight.”

Asked about increasing nationalism in Japan and South Korea, Yeutter said increasing criticism of the United States--including protest by students--is not surprising.

“There is obviously a risk of anti-American feeling developing because of the intense pressure we’ve put on these countries,” he said.

But, Yeutter added, these countries are “mature societies . . . that must recognize their own responsibilities to the world. Admittedly, it might be a painful process for them to open their markets in ways they have not done heretofore.”