Steel Industry Calls on Froman to Boot Japan From TPP Talks

The United Steelworkers and the Specialty Steel Industry of North America called on U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman in recent days to oust Japan from Trans-Pacific Partnership talks unless that country immediately concedes more market access. U.S. negotiators continue to battle with Japan and Canada over tariff and non-tariff market access barriers in a final TPP deal. “The failure of the Japanese government to come forward with meaningful market access offers – despite their representations to the contrary – is unsurprising given our experiences in the Japanese market,” said USW President Leo Gerard and SSINA Chairman Carl Moulton in the March 2 letter. Gerard and Moulton also urged Froman to lock down currency rules in the agreement if the U.S. gives more time to Japan to propose more market access concessions. The USW joined other unions on the same day to reject Trade Promotion Authority (see 1503030024).