US, Japan remain at impasse over market access issues

Trade talks between the United States and Japan remained at an impasse after more high-level discussions this week.

{mosads}Major gaps remain between Washington and Tokyo as they aim to complete negotiations as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.

Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler and Ambassador Hiroshi Oe of Japan completed two days of negotiations late Wednesday on TPP market access issues, focusing on the treatment of agricultural products.  

“Limited progress was made so far this week and significant gaps remain,” according to statement from the USTR’s office.

The stalemate between the two nations, especially over agriculture tariffs, is holding up progress on the trade pact.

Cutler and Oe agreed to continue discussions to narrow the gaps in the weeks ahead.  

No new meetings have been scheduled yet.

Working-level meetings will continue through Friday.  

The U.S. and Japan are holding bilateral parallel trade talks, which will be included in the TPP deal.

At the end of last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that no timetable should be attached to completion of a far-reaching Asia-Pacific trade agreement.

Abe has argued that the negotiators should take their time to finish the deal even with President Obama planning a four-country trip through the Pacific Rim, including a stop in Tokyo, in April.

Obama and Abe could provide a boost for the talks during their meetings next month if they can show any sign that the two nations have the political will to hammer out a deal, trade analysts have said.