Washington -Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney doesn't support including Japan in free-trade talks, a spokeswoman said Thursday.
U.S. automakers are sharply opposed to allowing Japan into the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks. They argue that the Asian nation hasn't done enough to open its market to U.S. auto exports.
"Governor Romney does not support including Japan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations at this time," campaign spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said. "Governor Romney believes reaching a trade agreement with Japan or including them in TPP would have enormous benefits for the American economy, but the governor also recognizes that negotiating such an agreement and ensuring open access to the Japanese market would take time."