ACEA calls for elimination of non-tariff barriers in EU–Japan FTA discussions

ACEA has again called on free-trade agreement negotiations between the EU and Japan to break down non-tariff barriers preventing non-Japanese automakers expanding in the market.

As the EU and Japan on Monday (25 March) officially launched negotiations for a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two regions, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has once again called for the breaking down of non-tariff barriers. The trade group's secretary-general Ivan Hodac said in a statement said that while its members "are strongly in favour of FTAs that are balanced and that provide real opportunities for export…we still have some reservations about an FTA with Japan". He added, "We question its potential to create sufficient opportunities for European exporters to counterbalance the greater access to the EU which Japanese manufacturers will gain as a result of tariff reductions." The group pointed to the fact that Japan "currently retains unique national requirements which add to the cost of imports, without bringing benefits to the consumer." It called for Japan to accelerate the harmonisation of its vehicle standards with UN regulations, as well as allowing EU type-approved vehicles to be sold in the country without the need for further certification or costly modification.