U.S., Japan say trade talks wouldn't exempt areas

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The United States and Japan said Friday that talks on a Pacific-wide free trade pact would not make prior exemptions of sectors, despite Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's pledges in the last election.

Abe, paying his first visit to Washington since his Liberal Democratic Party swept back to power, did not make any commitment on joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks but heard that Washington would not budge.

"Should Japan participate in the TPP negotiations, all goods would be subject to negotiation," said a joint statement after Abe met with US President Barack Obama.

But the statement acknowledged "sensitivities" on both ends, including agricultural products for Japan and manufactured goods for the United States.

"As the final outcome will be determined during the negotiations, it is not required to make a prior commitment to unilaterally eliminate all tariffs upon joining the TPP negotiations," it said.

Obama has championed the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a way to build a new modern trade pact and shape the order of the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, although critics complain that few details have emerged from negotiations.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which ruled for decades with strong support from farmers, said during the December election campaign that Japan would only enter talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership if areas were exempted.

Abe, addressing reporters after his talks with Obama, said that Japan could still achieve the election promise during the course of negotiations as the United States also was sensitive about certain sectors.

"It has become clear through my talks with President Obama that participation in negotiations is not based on the principle of elimination of all tariffs with no sanctuaries," he said.

Abe said he wanted to make a decision at "the earliest possible time" on whether to enter the talks, and would begin consultations Monday with the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito.

Abe's predecessor, Yoshihiko Noda, had been enthusiastic about the trade pact but hesitated to enter talks formally when faced with strong opposition from farmers' groups, who fear unprecedented foreign competition.

The participation of Japan, the world's third largest economy, would sharply expand the size of the trade pact.

The talks now include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.