USTR Brings Up Trade Deficit With Japan in Washington Talks
After two days of talks with Japan, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the "very large trade deficit" was a topic of discussion. The two sides talked about trade in goods, "including agriculture, as well as the need to establish high standards in the area of digital trade. In addition, the United States raised its very large trade deficit with Japan -- $67.6 billion in goods in 2018," the office said. Reuters reported that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Japan's Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will meet again in Washington next week.
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Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said Lighthizer should bring up whaling during the talks. "Any trade negotiations with Japan must include clear, concrete discussions on how they will eliminate commercial whale hunting, including rejoining the International Whaling Commission," he said.