Japan, U.S. launch new trade initiative amid China's rise

Japan and the United States on Wednesday launched an initiative to facilitate regular discussions on trade issues critical to both countries in the face of China's economic rise.The first series of meetings under the U.S.-Japan Partnership on Trade is expected early next year, with the initial areas of focus including "third country concerns" and cooperation in improving a rules-based economic order in the Indo-Pacific region, according to officials of the two countries.The announcement was made as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Kat…READ FULL ARTICLE