Nancy L. Johnson: “I rise today to address an extremely important issue facing the automotive and auto parts industry. The United…”

“I rise today to address an extremely important issue facing the automotive and auto parts industry. The United States-Japan framework talks were initiated in July 1993, but no agreement has been reached in these critical areas which amount to 60 percent of the United States bilateral deficit with Japan. Now these 1993 talks are only part of an effort that is now 10 years long to deal with very substantial nontariff barriers that Japan throws up to American auto parts and American automobiles even though that is the biggest item of our bilateral deficit. In recent years, as a result of these talks and all of the efforts that have been made, yes, Japan has increased the purchase of American parts, but only for those factories that produce in America. Mr. Speaker, if we are to maintain a strong industrial base in America, we must be able to export quality, cost-competitive United States auto parts and automobilies everywhere in the world, even to Japan, and I strongly support the need for a negotiated agreement with Japan and support our United States Trade Representative, Mickey Kantor, in his efforts.”