U.S.-Japan Trade

* Re “U.S., Japan Reach Trade Pact on Cars,” June 29:

The accord was a thinly veiled “political” victory for both countries. It does not do much for the United States but satisfies some of the union people and sounds good. The battle to open Japan (which has a relatively closed market) was fought publicly on the wrong product since U.S. auto manufacturers have not marketed the right size, not changed steering column placement, etc., while European suppliers have done their homework. A few years back, U.S. auto people were able to place quotas on Japanese car imports; the result was an increase in American-made car prices and bonuses paid to automobile executives! There are many better ways to force an opening of the Japanese market.

FREDRICK A. NEWMAN

Marina del Rey

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* Our trade negotiators for the problem with Japan didn’t blink, they completely closed their eyes. They didn’t kick butt, they gave away the farm. Oxymoron: American negotiators.

WILLIAM P. WELLS

Calabasas