Clinton threatens Japan over trade-talks deadlock

Washington - President Bill Clinton yesterday renewed his threat to impose trade sanctions against Japan after a meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Yohei Kono, about deadlocked trade negotiations.

President Clinton stressed 'his firm commitment to opening Japanese markets to American goods and services,' the White House said after the meeting. 'The President emphasised that unless agreements are reached under the framework agreement by the September 30 deadline, he will have to consider remedies under US trade laws,' it said. Mr Clinton and his top advisers on Tuesday ran through an options list for punitive measures, ready to strike should no breakthrough emerge. Reuter