MORE TRADE WITH JAPAN URGED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 11

MORE TRADE WITH JAPAN URGED

U.S. Appeal To Free World 9 p m.) Washington, Aug. 10. e X he Secretary of State (Mr Dulles) said today that the United States hoped that other countries of the world would open their markets to take more Japanese products. The United States recognised as « biggest post-war problems the finding of opportunities whereby Japan, with its large and increasing population, could find profitable markest for its goods, he said. Mr Dulles said he did not think that direct financial aid to Japan would be necessary. But, he said, it might be desirable to make availably to Japan some of the foodstuffs from United States surplus crops. This food, could be paid for under a liberal payments arrangement in terms of local currency. He said that Japan produced only 80 per cent, of her food and possessed very few natural resources. This year ner home-grown food supplies would be still less because of poor crops. Mr Dulles said that it was the hope of the United States that steps would be taken to improve the opportunities for Japan to trade, not just in the United States, but in other countries of the world which provided more natural markets for what Japan produced. Japan was not a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and had to pay high tariff duties in many markets, Mr Dulles said. He hoped something might be done to ease this position. The Washington “Evening Star” said today that the United States and likeminded nations “have every reason” to helo Japan overcome her economic difficulties. If the strategically-vital country could not halt the drain on its dollar reserves and improve its exports to non-Communist countries, it would be extremely hard put to- avoid the type of depression that could quickly drive it within the Peking-Moscow orbit, the paper said in a leading article.