2.
5.
The 'third encouraging thing was that despite his involvement in high level trade negotiations with Canada the same time, Mr. Suzuki, the Deputy Director General Beonomic Affairs Bureau, M.F.A., took the chair on their side; which could to some degree reflect the determination of the M.F.A. to hold to their line, in the face of M.I.T.I. opposition, that the Hong Kong offer should be reasonable.
6.
Wakefield and I were accompanied by Popplewell, who is acting First Secretary. He is a fluent Japanese speaker and was able to eavesdrop on conversations at the other side of the table. He also kept the record.
7.
Wakefield made a short opening statement along the lines he and I had agreed. He was particularly concerned to put firmly on record the Foreign Minister's commitment in London. The object of this exercise was to try to draw out a firm statement after the impending Cabinet meeting of the intention eventually to include Hong Kong. Wakefield stressed that such a statement would be conducive to a confident busi- ness atmosphere in both Hong Kong and Japan.
8.
I took over and tried to build on this foundation. I reiterated our well rehearsed line on our trading philosophy, our need to move forward to maintain economic viability, and all that. I suggested that, at this point in time especially Hong Kong had a useful and important role to play in Asia; and Japan had a large stake in its future. I listed Japanese investment in our industry, the value of their exports to Hong Kong, the worth of the public works contracts awarded to Japanese firms in the last two or three years, and the recently announced Japanese consortium seeking to build mich of the proposed mass transit system. This catalogue clearly made an impression.
9.
Leaving them to draw what conclusions they wished from this statement, I then went on to clarify points in the Japanese preference scheme as announced in UNCTAD in September 1970; first having established that the scheme presented to the Diet recently did not differ from it in any material particular. The following points were established:
(1)
The base year for calculation of tariff quotas will be 1968.
No beneficiary will be allowed to enjoy more than 50% of any tariff quota in any year.
(11)
(111)
The B.T.N. rules of origin will apply.
(iv)
Official certificates of origin will be required.
10./
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.