VANTAGE POINT: Steel Trade Assn Cheers Prospect Of TPP Talks

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Tariff elimination is drawing attention ahead of the anticipated Japanese entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks. But the negotiations will also lead to the removal of anti-dumping duties on Japanese steel products, says Hiroshi Tomono, chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.

The talks will be "most welcome," Tomono says.

Anti-dumping duties have long been levied on certain steel exports to the U.S., such as tin.

"We hope Japan will join the TPP talks at the earliest possible time," says Tomono, president of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. (5401).

(The Nikkei, March 2 morning edition)

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