U.S.-Japan Trade Not Expected to Improve This Year: Trade With Japan Not Improving
U.S. Trade Representative William E. Brock yesterday predicted a ÛÏfurther deteriorationÛ in AmericaÛªs trade deficit with Japan but said a turn-around could take place in</br></br>U.S. Trade Representative William E. Brock yesterday predicted a ÛÏfurther deteriorationÛ in AmericaÛªs trade deficit with Japan but said a turn-around could take place in ÛÏThe situation will get worse before it gets better,Û the Reagan administrationÛªs top trade official said at a breakfast with reporters the day after Japanese Prime Minister^ Ya-suhiro Nakasone left Washington.</br></br>The question of trade dominated NakasoneÛªs three days of talks with administration officials, including two meetings with President Reagan.</br></br>Brock was pessimistic about any quick fixes for the United StatesÛª growing trade imbalance with Japan, but he cautioned against following the protectionist route which is being pushed by many labor and business leaders and which has strong support in Congress.</br></br>ÛÏProtectionism is not the right response because it hurts us more that anyone else,Û said Brock, who added that is the advice he will give to Congress.