Japan, EU begin 2nd trade talks with focus on non-tariff barriers

TOKYO, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan and the European Union started the second round of free trade negotiations here on Monday, with both sides seeking to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to promote trade and growth, local media reported.

While the first round of talks in Brussels in April was mostly procedural, the two countries are expected to hold sector-by- sector talks in this round through July 3, covering fields including goods and services trade, investment and intellectual property, said Kyodo News Agency.

Japan is hoping to increase auto and home electronics exports to EU by eliminating EU-imposed tariffs, while the EU is seeking to eliminate Japan's non-tariff barriers and have more access to public-sector projects in Japan, said the report.

The European Union aims to help its flagging economy by gaining greater access to Japan, the world's third-largest economy, while seeking to capitalize on Asia's robust growth, said Kyodo.

It is reported that Japan and the European Union together account for about 30 percent of global economic output and 40 percent of world trade.

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