Minister Motegi Participated in the 2013 Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT)

Under the chairmanship of Minister Gita from Indonesia, the Ministers intensively discussed APEC 2013 priorities: "Attaining the Bogor Goals;" "Sustainable Growth with Equity;" and "Promoting Connectivity" in addition to "Supporting the Multilateral Trading System."

On WTO, the Ministers, for the first time at the ministerial level, called on ITA participants to swiftly conclude negotiations to expand the product coverage of the WTO/ITA by the middle of 2013. In addition, the Ministers reaffirmed the pledge against protectionism through a standstill which they recommended that APEC Leaders extend through the end of 2016.

In addition, the Ministers also agreed to promote regional undertakings such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) toward the realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Also, they reaffirmed their commitment in 2011 and emphasized concrete actions to facilitate steady implementation of their Leaders' commitments to reduce tariffs on environmental goods to 5 percent or less by the end of 2015.

The Ministers also took note a Joint Crediting Mechanism Seminar to be held during SOM 3, recognizing the importance of cross-border mechanisms disseminate low-carbon technologies to achieve sustainable growth.

Furthermore, the Ministers shared their view that well-designed, sustainable and resilient infrastructure development and investment can enhance economic growth and increase productivity, and provide positive flow-on effects and emphasized the importance of private sector involvement. The Ministers also shared the importance to enhance value chain resilience, and to advance work to establish more interconnected and resilient APEC region. To this end, they emphasized the importance of work on improving reliability of supply chains connectivity through effective risk management and response.

The consensus reached at this meeting was incorporated and summarized in the Ministerial Statement. The Ministers confirmed that they would continue to strengthen efforts to make further concrete outcomes towards the APEC Ministerial and Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in October 2013.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Minister Motegi had bilateral meetings to discuss bilateral economic relationships and economic partnerships, including the TPP.

1) H.E. Craig Emerson, Minister of Trade and Competitiveness, Australia

Minister Motegi and Minister Emerson talked on TPP negotiations and the Japan-Australia EPA. Both sides confirmed their willingness to continue to make progress in these issues through further exchange of views.

2) H.E. Yoon Sang-jick, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, ROK

Minister Motegi and Minister Yoon confirmed that both sides will continue to cooperate to realize the highly-qualified FTA among Japan, China and the ROK as well as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

3) H.E. Gita Irawan Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, Indonesia

Minister Motegi talked with Minister Gita on cooperation in areas such as APEC and WTO, as well as on improvement in concerns between Japan and Indonesia, including tariffs on automobiles and an anti-damping measure on steel.

4) Amb. Demetrios Marantis, Acting United States Trade Representative

Minister Motegi and Ambassador Marantis confirmed that both sides continue closely cooperating toward the future negotiations of the TPP.

Minister Motegi and H.E. Gita Irawan Wirjawan, Minister of Trade of Indonesia

Minister Motegi and H.E. Yoon Sang-jick, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the ROK

• Full text of the Statement of 2013 Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade(PDF:584KB)
• Full text of the Statement on Supporting the Multilateral Trading System and WTO 9th Ministerial Conference(PDF:158KB)

April 22, 2013

APEC Office, Trade Policy Bureau