European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom (left) shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida before the start of their meeting as a part of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations at Iikura guest house in Tokyo 30 Ju
WASHINGTON – 2 July 2017: The European Union and Japan were nearing a trade deal, the two sides said over the weekend, but there were still gaps to overcome as two of the US biggest economic competitors look to bolster international commerce, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
Trade talks between the EU and Japan have been ongoing since 2013 but discord over issues like Japanese auto exports and European agricultural sales to Japan has slowed progress. Negotiations have accelerated in recent months, as both sides have reacted to the Trump administration's retreat from international trade deals.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the framework of an agreement was within reach, adding he was willing to go to Brussels to complete a deal before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travels to Europe for the coming Group of 20 leaders summit.
The EU's trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström said she was confident of a political deal by July 6, paving the way for Abe to come to Brussels. However, she also acknowledged the need for additional talks among officials.
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