Tokyo has responded to U.S. criticism of Japanese proposals for the coming round of World Trade Organization negotiations by presenting Washington with a list of counter-arguments that underscore the need for the inclusion of discussions on antidumping measures if the talks are to be a success, Japanese officials said Monday.
Over the objections of President Bill Clinton's administration, Japan is pressing for the WTO to take up antidumping measures in the next round of global trade talks, expected to start with a meeting of WTO ministers in Seattle between Nov. 30 and Dec. 3.
Tokyo also announced on Oct. 20 the filing of a complaint with the WTO over the U.S. decision in June to impose dumping duties on Japanese hot-rolled steel, asking for bilateral consultations with Washington under the auspices of the WTO.