Japan remains the most closed auto market among developed nations. One way trade in autos accounted for 70 percent of the U.S. trade deficit with Japan in 2010. In fact, Japan already ships more than 200 cars to the U.S. for every one car the United States sends there. Pretending this can be easily corrected is not good for the American economy or America workers. Japan should demonstrate they are serious about opening their market before the United States grants additional trade benefits.
America’s automakers are competitive, global manufacturers with industry-leading products. They’re at the forefront of the United States’ economic recovery and add billions of dollars in American manufacturing investment while creating tens of thousands of new American jobs. With the auto sector as a whole serving as America’s leading export sector, providing preferential trade benefits to Japan, while they continue to embrace closed-market policies, would only serve to undermine the competitive gains made by American automakers.
Matt Blunt, AAPC President
ReplyDeleteAmerican Automotive Policy Council (AAPC)
ReplyDeleteAAPC statement opposing Japan’s participation in the TPP
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aapc.us/sites/default/files/articles/Japan-TPP%20statement%2011-9-11.pdf
(Washington, D.C.) - Citing Japan’s long history of limiting auto imports while enjoying open access to the U.S. auto market the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) today announced its opposition to Japan’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiations.
AAPC President Matt Blunt said Japan’s participation in the negotiations at this time would only serve to delay progress on an important trade agreement, while also sanctioning trade practices embraced by Japan.