Exchange of Opinions Concerning the World Trade Organization (WTO) between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick (Outline)

February 17, 2004

On February 11, 2004, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick made the following exchange of opinions on WTO Doha Development Agenda.

1. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Ambassador Zoellick shared the recognition that it is necessary for all member countries, including Japan and the United States, to demonstrate their commitment to and flexibility on the WTO negotiations, to ensure that 2004 was not a lost year.
2. Both sides recognized that progress on the issues of agriculture and market access for non-agricultural products is essential for the advancement of the whole negotiation agenda, and that an agreement on the frameworks for negotiations in the 2 areas should be pursued by mid-year. And also, both sides concurred in further examining the possibility of holding the next ministerial conference by the end of the year.
3. Both sides shared the view that Japan and the United States would cooperate for the reinvigoration of the Doha round, and would deepen dialogues with developing countries.
4. With regard to market access for agricultural products, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi emphasized the importance of appropriately addressing the interests for importing countries, including the idea of capping on high tariffs.