Japan to Join U.S.-EU Tariff Talks at WTO

June 15, 2018

Tokyo- Japan plans to join talks between the United States and the European Union at the World Trade Organization to settle their dispute over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs as a third party, informed sources said Thursday.

If Japan's participation is approved, the country is expected to show concern over the U.S. tariffs.

A third party can express opinions, but it is not covered by a potential agreement. This means that Japan needs to consider its own actions, including a WTO complaint by itself.

Japan informed the WTO of its intention to join the U.S.-EU talks on Friday. Japan also plans to take part in similar talks involving Canada and Mexico over the U.S. tariffs.

The United States in late March imposed tariffs of 25 pct on steel and 10 pct on aluminum imported from Japan, China and other countries. It extended the tariffs to the EU, Canada and Mexico on June 1. Jiji Press