Japan Wants U.S. to Abide by WTO Rules

May 24, 2018

Tokyo- Responding to a U.S. decision to launch investigation into imported automobiles and auto parts over their effects on national security, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed the view Thursday that the United States should abide by World Trade Organization rules.

While declining to comment on a possible direction or result of the U.S. probe into vehicle imports, Suga told a press conference that "any trade measure should be consistent with the WTO agreement."

"We'll closely watch further developments," he said.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department said it will initiate a "Section 232" investigation into whether imports of passenger cars and all other types of vehicles as well as auto parts threaten national security.

According to U.S. media reports, if the department determines the imports are harmful, tariffs of up to 25 pct would be imposed on some vehicles. Jiji Press