US and Japan in trade stalemate

US and Japan in trade stalemate

TRADE TENSIONS between the US and Japan flared up yesterday in a dispute that threatens to overshadow next week's Asian-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit.

Three days of trade talks between senior Apec officials ended without agreement after Japan refused to promise early cuts in tariffs on fish and forestry products. Apec ministers will now meet over the weekend to try and resolve the dispute. If they fail, the issue will be taken up by Apec leaders at their November 17-18 summit.