September 25, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: media@americanautocouncil.org

 

September 25, 2019

 

 

AAPC Statement on U.S. and Japan Trade Agreement

 

Washington, D.C. – Governor Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, issued the following statement on the trade agreement announced between the U.S. and Japan:

“We are pleased the U.S. and Japan have completed discussion on an initial trade agreement.  We understand the current scope of the agreement does not include automotive products.  However, if at a later date adding automotive products is considered, we believe that Japan must first demonstrate meaningful improvements in U.S. auto import market access to Japan before the U.S. lowers its auto tariffs.  For that to be accomplished the non-tariff barriers U.S. exports face in Japan, including lack of full acceptance of U.S. safety standards and rules against currency manipulation, must be addressed.

“We also remain opposed to 232 auto tariffs and encourage the U.S. and Japan to resolve this issue.

“We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that if automotive products are included in this or future agreements, that true reciprocal import market access is achieved.”

The American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) is a Washington, D.C. association that represents the common public policy interests of its member companies FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company.

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