On the Statement by President Bush on the WTO Doha Round
(Statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Aso)

Embassy of Japan
February 1, 2007

On February 1, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso issued the following statement regarding the January 31 statement by President Bush on the WTO Doha Round.

• On January 31 in New York , President George W. Bush of the United States reaffirmed that the U.S. is dedicated to the success of the WTO Doha Round and would request to the U.S. Congress the extension of the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to that end. Japan welcomes this move as one that indicates the positive stance of the U.S. Government, which will contribute to progress in the Round negotiations.

• Maintaining and strengthening the WTO, which is at the core of the multilateral trading system, is the essence of the external economic policy of Japan . Based on this recognition, Japan has been striving actively to promote the Doha Round negotiations.

• Japan intends to continue its utmost efforts to achieve an early conclusion of the Round negotiations while keeping in close cooperation with the U.S. and other partners.

[Related links]

* Comment by (then) Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi on the Suspension of the WTO Doha Development Agenda Negotiations (August 1, 2006)

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/pressreleases/2006/0801.htm

* Japan-U.S. relations

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/japanus/japanusoverview2007.htm

* Japan and WTO