Japan Govt, Industry Reps to Attend July 19 U.S. Auto Hearing

July 13, 2018

Washington- Officials from the Japanese government and the country's automotive industry are set to attend a U.S. Commerce Department hearing on July 19 over Washington's planned restrictions on automobile and auto parts imports.

On Thursday, the department announced a list of participants in the hearing.

Kazutoshi Aikawa, minister at the Japanese embassy in Washington, will testify as representative of the government of Japan.

Among participants from the Japanese industry will be those of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and auto parts maker Jtekt Corp., an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corp. .

Japanese representatives are seen expressing concerns over potential impacts of the proposed restrictions on the global economy, informed sources said.

The hearing will also be participated by government and industry representatives from such countries as the United States, South Korea, Canada and Mexico, aswell as the European Union, including officials from U.S. units of German auto giant Volkswagen AG, South Koran automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and United Auto Workers, a U.S. labor union.

At the instructions of U.S. President Donald Trump, the department started in May an investigation into whether automobile and auto parts imports are affecting U.S. national security.

If it concludes that growth in imports poses security threat, the U.S. government could impose additional tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts. The probe will be concluded by the end of this month at the earliest.

Trump is apparently considering levying an additional tariffs of 20 pct. But this has sparked strong opposition both at home and abroad, with more than 2,300 comments submitted to the department. Jiji Press