Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 4, 1990 TAG: 9003042193
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun
DATELINE: PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
In fact, Bush acknowledged the $49 billion surplus Japan enjoys in its trade with the United States cannot be blamed entirely on barriers imposed by the Japanese on U.S. goods.
"Let's face it, these talks are a two-way street," the president said in a joint statement with Kaifu outside their meeting place at the plush Morningside Country Club here.
"Americans must increase our savings, reduce our budget deficit, provide more incentive for our investors, strengthen our educational system [and] focus on producing goods of the highest quality. That is a task for America, not for Japan."
Bush said that during their two days of talks here, he presented the Japanese leader with "some valid ideas" about removing structural impediments in Japan "that will improve market access and reduce trade imbalances" but that he is still waiting for a Japanese response.
When asked whether he was satisfied with Kaifu's promise to make resolving the trade issue a "top priority" of his new Cabinet, the president told reporters: "Nobody ever goes far enough to do everything exactly the way we want it. But I think for those who understand the complexities of this relationship at this juncture, we got everything out of this meeting that we had hoped for."
It may not be enough, however, to calm the angry mood in Congress, where lawmakers are considering the imposition of sanctions against Japan if it does not open its markets to U.S. goods.
The president came to the desert summit armed with letters from lawmakers that he said "depicted a sense of urgency that I hope I was able to convey."
In the meantime, presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the president felt good about the session with Kaifu, "and we'll try to build on that."
by CNB