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UAW Statement on U.S.-Japan Negotiations on Auto Trade

30 November 2000

UAW Statement on U.S.-Japan Negotiations on Auto Trade

    DETROIT, Nov. 29 UAW President Stephen P. Yokich today
issued this statement on the negotiations between the United States and Japan
regarding automotive trade:

    "The UAW strongly supports the negotiation of a new U.S.-Japan auto trade
agreement that will address the growing trade imbalance in this critical U.S.
industry.  We have been disappointed with the lack of results from the 1995
agreement and we will not be satisfied until U.S.-Japan auto trade is firmly
on a path toward balance.  With a truly open market in Japan and sourcing
decisions that are fair to the U.S.-made products of U.S.-based suppliers, we
believe that can be achieved.  But it clearly will not happen without the U.S.
government insisting that it happen.  That is why the UAW has fought for the
negotiation of a results-oriented agreement that sets the trade imbalance as
the measure of success in effectively opening markets."
    "If a new agreement that meets the UAW's concerns is not reached, the UAW
will use all available avenues, including U.S. trade laws, to create the
fairness and balance in U.S.-Japan auto trade that has been absent for nearly
20 years.  With the explosion of the U.S. trade deficit in recent years, and
the growing danger it presents to U.S. economic stability, solutions to one of
our nation's most persistent trade problems must be found.  America's auto
workers simply cannot wait any longer."