NAM Questions U.S. Stance in Japanese Talks

As U.S. and Japanese negotiators renewed trade discussions today, the head of a major manufacturers’ lobbying group raised questions over whether the U.S. side is demanding enough concessions from the Japanese to lower America’s trade deficit by any significant degree.

“I think it is still up in the air whether these talks will yield any meaningful results,” said Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Assn. of Manufacturers.

Negotiators reported good progress after the first day of talks Monday behind closed doors at the State Department. The talks are aimed at attacking the underlying causes of America’s $49-billion trade deficit with Japan.

The Bush Administration is demanding a halt to cozy Japanese business practices that exclude foreign companies, as well as tougher enforcement of laws prohibiting bid-rigging and price-fixing.