King: Letting Japan in trade zone could cost U.S. jobs

United Auto Workers President Bob King on Thursday said he strongly opposes entry of Japan into nine-nation free trade talks, saying it could put American jobs at risk.

The Obama administration has been considering whether to allow Japan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and has already approved Mexico and Canada in joining the talks.

The talks are aimed at creating one of the world's largest free-trade zones, including some of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

"We could not be stronger in advocating that Japan should not be in," King said in an interview, adding there is "no realistic way to open up the markets in Japan."

While King acknowledged the "geopolitical considerations" in letting Japan take part, he argues the deal could hurt U.S. workers.

"We don't see any way that you can have fair trade with Japan because of all of the nontariff barriers, Japanese culture, tight integration of the government policies and the companies," he said.

Emphasizing the difficulties of opening the market and fair trade with Japan, King said bluntly: "I don't see that happening in my lifetime."

King's comments came after a study released last week by the Ann Arbor-based Center for Automotive Research argued that allowing Japan to take part in the talks could dramatically boost Japanese automotive exports to the United States, and cost more than 26,000 American jobs. U.S. automakers are sharply opposed to allowing Japan into the partnership talks. A free-trade agreement could drop tariffs on Japanese vehicles entering the United States and make it more economically viable to build cars and trucks in Japan and export them to the U.S.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has said the administration has made no decision on whether to allow Japan to take part.

dshepardson@detnews.com

(202) 662-8735

Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120831/AUTO01/208310335/1148/rss25

indonesia quake stephen strasburg shabazz legion baby found alive in morgue rockies ashley judd