US trade officials will consult Congress on Japan’s entrance into trade talks

U.S. trade officials would consult with Congress before making any decisions about letting Japan enter into talks on an Asian-Pacific trade agreement.

“A bold decision by Japan to pursue a high-standard [Trans-Pacific Partnership] agreement would cause us to begin, in close cooperation with Congress and with U.S. stakeholders, intensive consultations with Japan on the issue of Japan’s candidacy,” a U.S. Trade Representative spokeswoman told The Hill on Wednesday. 

In a letter Tuesday to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, several lawmakers — including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and ranking member Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) — said Japan’s inclusion would “add dramatically new dimensions and complexities to the TPP negotiations.”

In that vein, they asked for U.S. trade officials to closely consult with Congress well in advance of any decisions.   

The TPP agreement is an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement currently being negotiated among the United States and eight other partners: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Negotiations on the trade deal are set to continue this weekend at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu. 

President Obama will head there this weekend to meet with leaders from 20 nations. 

In Japan, top government officials have signaled that Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda could make a decision as early as Thursday and before heading to Hawaii this weekend, according to news reports.