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Japanese PM says no quick compromise with US on Trans-Pacific trade bloc

Tokyo insists on its right to preserve the tariffs on rice and other grains, dairy products, beef and pork, while the US seeks to keep restrictions on imports of certain Japanese industrial products

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

© EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

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Creating regional free trade zones in Asia-Pacific top priority — Chinese official

TOKYO, March 27. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has rejected the possibility of reaching a swift compromise during the tough negotiations with Washington on establishing a multilateral trade bloc designed to remove tariffs and other barriers.

Abe told the country’s parliament on Friday that he is not planning to speed up the talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) amid his upcoming visit to Washington in April.

At talks with the US, Tokyo insists on its right to preserve the tariffs on rice and other grains, and also dairy products, beef and pork. Washington seeks to keep temporary restrictions on imports of certain Japanese industrial products.

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The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a proposed regional treaty aimed at eliminating tariffs and other barriers on goods and services between the member-states. The talks on the TPP initially involved Chile, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore.

The United States, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico and Peru later joined the negotiations. If created, the TTP would cover 40% of world GDP and around one third of global trade.

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Japan United States Trade Trade & Cooperation

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

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Russian Railways to triple tourist passenger flow to 3 mln people by 2030

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Germany fails to present evidence in case of espionage suspects — Russian embassy

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Throughput capacity of railroads to Subarctic ports to be 110 mln tons — governor

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Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

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German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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