Japan and Mexico failed to bridge their differences over five key farm products Friday after a two-day meeting on a free-trade agreement, but both parties agreed to continue talks, a Japanese official said.
The vice-ministerial talks in Tokyo failed to resolve the deadlock over orange juice, oranges, pork, chicken and beef, the official said.
"A gap remains between both sides, but the two countries shared a common understanding about pursuing an agreement," the official said, noting the negotiations were frank.
The two countries are expected to coordinate the schedule for the next round through working-level talks between Monday and Friday in Tokyo, though it is unclear whether the next meeting will be held at the ministerial level, he said.
The vice-ministerial talks that started Thursday were held after Mexican Economy Secretary Fernando Canales threatened last week to discontinue negotiations if the two countries fail to strike a deal by the end of March.
Participants at the meeting were limited to two from each side, excluding interpreters, to allow intense discussions on the five farm products, the official said.
Japanese participants included Ryuichiro Yamazaki, ambassador for international economic affairs, and Hiroyuki Kinoshita, vice minister for international affairs at the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.
Angel Villalobos, vice minister of economy in charge of international commerce, and Roberto Newell, a counselor of the agriculture ministry, were the two Mexican delegates.
Japan maintains that the two countries should go ahead with the negotiations based on the agreements they reached in marathon ministerial talks in Tokyo in October, while Mexico has refused to stick to the October agreements and made fresh proposals.