Japan and the European Union agreed Thursday to work together to break the impasse in global trade liberalization talks ahead of a key ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization.
Japanese government sources said Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy agreed that some supportive action should be taken to soften the adamant stance of developing countries, which are thought to hold the key to the Doha Round of trade negotiations.
Developing economies are at odds with advanced economies such as the United States and the EU in a number of areas, including crucial agricultural issues.
In her talks with Lamy, Kawaguchi reiterated Japan's position that it is difficult to accept setting tariff ceilings and expanding import volumes of some sensitive farm trade items, the sources said.