| Media Note (Revised) Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC July 16, 2004 Key Economic and Trade Issues Discussed at U.S.-Japan Subcabinet Economic DialogueSenior officials from the United States and Japan met in Washington on Friday, July 16 to discuss economic and trade issues under the U.S.-Japan Subcabinet Economic Dialogue.
As a result of policies adopted in both countries and with the assistance of deeper engagement under the Economic Partnership for Growth, economic performance in both the U.S. and Japanese economies has strengthened markedly since 2001. The United States and Japan remain deeply committed to promoting global growth and economic reform, and both sides pledged to continue to work together to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq. U.S. and Japanese officials also discussed a number of important bilateral issues, including the resumption of trade in beef and the privatization of Japan Post. Officials reconfirmed the benefits of an open trading system to both countries and explored ways to cooperate to advance the multilateral World Trade Organization trade talks known as the Doha Development Agenda. Participants discussed the need to demonstrate leadership and flexibility on key issues, particularly agriculture. Discussions also addressed the lasting benefits of United States-Japan cooperation to promote trade and economic growth in the Asian-Pacific region by, for example, working to strengthen enforcement of intellectual property rights. They also exchanged views on their efforts to promote trade liberalization through bilateral and regional agreements. The Subcabinet Economic Dialogue is a central component of the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth, established by President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi in June 2001. The Subcabinet Dialogue helps set the tone and direction of the overall economic relationship and deals with a full range of global, regional, and bilateral economic and trade issues. Deputy National Security Advisor Faryar Shirzad and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Fujisaki co-chaired today's meeting, held at the Department of State. The meeting included senior officials from the White House, the Council of Economic Advisers, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative; and Under Secretaries from the Departments of State, Treasury, and Commerce. The Japanese delegation comprised Vice Ministers from the Ministries of Finance; Economy, Trade and Industry; Posts and Telecommunications; and Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office, the Financial Services Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. 2004/783
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