White House Statement on the United States-Japan Trade Agreement

The President is pleased by the agreement reached between Ambassadors Strauss and Ushiba on behalf of the U.S. and Japanese Governments regarding trade and other economic issues of common concern. The President believes that the agreed measures constitute a promising development in the two countries' efforts to strengthen economic relations; he is gratified at the provision for followup meetings to discuss both implementation of this agreement and further progress.

This agreement should strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries, underlining their will and ability to cooperate with each other and with other nations in devising common actions to meet common problems. The President is gratified at the role played by Prime Minister Fukuda in helping to bring about this outcome. He looks forward to working in concert with the Prime Minister in regard to continuing efforts to promote a healthy world economy.