TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 49

PRIME

MINISTER

Jean lan

CONFIDENTIAL

FED.

CCPS/M Royle Mi wolfia

EID

ERSD

H. Recare MT86)

Pecant

10 Downing Street Whitehall

10 June 1971

1

Trade Policy, M. Bottarkey.

Mr. Aichi, the Japanese Foreign Minister called on the Prime Minister at 4.30 p.m. today, Thursday, 10 June.

There was little discussion of substance, Following an exchange of courtesies over the Emperor of Japan's forthcoming visit, Mr. Aichi expressed satisfaction at the progress which had been made in the negotiations for British entry into the European Community. He saw changes in the patterns of international trade which would affect the Pacific Region. There would be growing trade relations between Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Japan was ready to import a good deal more from both those countries. He referred particularly to the change in food tastes in Japan which would enable them to import more New Zealand agricultural produce.

In a brief exchange on Japan's relations with che Soviet Union, Mr. Aichi said that these were neither good nor bad. On the credit side the Siberian air route to Japan had been opened. On the other hand the Soviet Union was still unwilling to begin talks about the disputed Japanese Islands.

Mr. Aichi stressed the importance of the China problem for Japan. The Prime Minister agreed that we should keep in close contact on this:

CONFIDENTIAL

H

Rom

(Japan)

HK+GPS

ཡི.t