WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - A study released on Tuesday warned the United States could lose 2,600 auto industry jobs and thousands more in the broader economy if Japan is allowed to join a proposed free trade pact at the center of President Barack Obama's trade agenda.
"We firmly believe a free trade agreement with Japan will lock in one-sided trade benefits that Japan enjoys today at the expense of U.S. auto jobs," Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, told reporters.
"It will deliver a blow to America's auto industry and auto workers at really at critical juncture in our recovery," said Blunt, a former Missouri governor.
The study was paid for by Ford Motor Co, which has led the U.S. auto industry charge against Japan joining talks on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership pact. It was prepared by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The TPP talks currently include the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Chile and Peru. Canada and Mexico will formally join the talks in coming months.