4 February 1999: A recent press report revealed that Deputy US Trade Representative Richard Fisher said recently the US Congress may take issue with Japan“s allegedly closed flat glass market, adding…
4 February 1999: A recent press report revealed that Deputy US Trade Representative Richard Fisher said recently the US Congress may take issue with Japan“s allegedly closed flat glass market, adding to the current fray over Japanese steel exports to the United States. Flat glass trade may evolve into a political issue due to Congressional anger, Fisher was quoted as telling Hisamitsu Arai, vice minister for international affairs at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Fisher, currently in Tokyo, expressed the concern in a meeting with Arai at which they discussed a range of trade issues, including the large volume of Japan“s steel exports to the US market. The US has long pressed Japan to give greater access to its flat glass market for foreign exporters, saying that three major Japanese makers have limited the handling of foreign products through their cozy ties with domestic distributors. The Japanese side also sought to soften US anger at Japanese steel exports, saying that the relevant exports in December last year were down 16% in value on the year. Fisher indicated he was not sure whether the percentage was enough to placate the wrath of US Congress, according to Japanese officials.