Memo: First Round of EU-Japan Trade Talks A Success

On 19 April 2013, the EU and Japan finished the first week-long round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) less than a month after negotiations were officially launched.

The aim is for a comprehensive agreement in goods, services and investment eliminating tariffs, non-tariff barriers and covering other trade-related issues, such as public procurement, regulatory issues, competition, and sustainable development.

An agreement between the two economic giants is expected to boost Europe’s economy by 0.6 to 0.8 % of its GDP and will result in growth and the creation of 400,000 jobs. It is expected that EU exports to Japan could increase by 32.7%, while Japanese exports to the EU would increase by 23.5%.

The next round of negotiations will be in Tokyo 24-28 June 2013 with a further round envisaged later in 2013.

ESO: Background Information: Joint statement by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-joint-statement-by-the-president-of-the-european-commission-jose-manuel-barroso-the-president-of-the-european-council-herman-van-rompuy-and-the-prime-minister-of-japan-shinzo-abe/

EurActiv, 21.05.13: EU programme seeks to boost exports to Japan http://www.euractiv.com/trade/eu-invests-boost-export-japan-news-519867

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