US Chamber supports Japan's entry into Asia-Pacific trade deal

The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offered his backing to Japan on Tuesday to join negotiations on an Asia-Pacific trade deal. 

Thomas Donohue, president and chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said he supports Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and several U.S. business leaders in Washington. 

"Japan’s entry would be a unique and game changing opportunity for TPP, for U.S.-Japan strategic and economic relations and for the Japanese economy,” Donohue said. 

"I urge Prime Minister Noda and the government of Japan to continue working closely with the U.S. government in order to bring Japan into TPP on the same terms as the current partners."

On Monday, President Obama expressed support for Japan joining the talks.

"We instructed our teams to continue our consultation regarding Japan's interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would benefit both our economies and the region," Obama said at a joint news conference with Noda.

Japan, Canada and Mexico all have asked to be added into the nine-nation talks, which continue in Dallas next week. 

So far, no announcement has been made on whether the countries will be approved to join the TPP negotiations. 

At this point, deal is between the United States and Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Donohue said improving economic ties are important for the nations' closely linked supply chain connections, as well as work in other areas, including intellectual property protection and harmonization of regulations and standards.

While he backs Japan's entry, he said he hoped the nation would consider reforms in areas such as autos, which would bolster confidence among U.S. stakeholders.

“We need to ensure there is a level playing field in Japan for all businesses and entities to compete on equal terms so that we can collaboratively create more jobs, economic growth and innovation in Japan and the United States,” Donohue said.  

Noda has faced some opposition in his country to joining the talks but insisted on Monday that a partnership between the United States and Japan would help the nations work together on a variety of issues, including intellectual property. 

"In the economic area, we shall deepen bilateral economic ties and fortify the growth and prosperity of the two countries through the promotion of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.