Japan, Germany to promote free trade amid rising protectionism
Japan and Germany agreed on Wednesday to further promote free trade following the signing earlier this month of a free trade deal between Japan and the European Union (EU).
"The free trade deal sent a clear signal against protectionism," said visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas during talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono here on Wednesday.
Kono, for his part, said that closer cooperation between Japan and Germany is now "more important than ever."
The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation on a number of other issues such as climate change.
Later in the day, Maas also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan and the EU signed a free trade agreement earlier this month, eliminating tariffs on the majority of their products amid rising international trade tensions.
The agreement will lead to the creation of one of the world's largest economic blocs and will constitute around 30 percent of global gross domestic product, according to economists' predictions.
Your Comment
Name E-mailRelated News
-
-
2 feared dead after earthquake hits Osaka in western Japan
A strong earthquake knocked over walls and set off scattered fires around the city of Osaka in western Japan on Monday morning, and at least two people were feared dead.
-
-
Premier Li calls for healthy, stable China-Japan ties
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday met with Tadamori Oshima, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese parliament, calling for a healthy and stable bilateral relationship.
-
-
-
China, Germany agree to oppose protectionism
China and Germany on Monday agreed to unequivocally oppose protectionism and safeguard free trade system based on multilateral rules to promote strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth.
-
-
-
-
With Li's visit, China, Europe committed to free trade
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his wife ended their trip to Europe Tuesday with a private dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband in Berlin.
-
-
-
Chinese economy stable, resilient despite trade tensions
China's economy is stable and resilient against uncertainties, including the latest trade tensions between China and the US, experts said, who called for slight policy adjustments.
