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Obuchi meets with senators
May 4, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 4) -- As Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi met with several U.S. senators Tuesday, trade was at the forefront of issues discussed. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) said Obuchi's visit was "very timely" because of the number of issues that need to be addressed in the relationship between the world's two largest economies. One issue is steel. Cheap Japanese steel has flooded into the United States, causing thousands of layoffs in the U.S. steel industry. Besides the layoffs, the cheap steel has caused an outbreak of protectionism in Congress as the United States' widening trade deficit with Japan, hit a near-record $64 billion last year. The overall U.S. trade deficit hit a record $169 billion last year. The steel issue was one of several raised by members of Congress today in meetings with Obuchi. Lott said the discussions with Senate leaders covered "a number of issues from economics to trade to security." Lott singled out Japan's $200 million in economic support to deal with the Kosovo refugee situation for praise, saying Congress was appreciative of Japan's support in the effort "to bring a peaceful solution and to address the humanitarian needs of the Kosovars." The trade deficit has hurt U.S. manufacturers in steel and other industries. Their overseas markets have shrunk because of recessions in other nations, and those recessions have led to rising imports pouring into the United States, the only major economy doing well. The House has already passed a bill that would impose global quotas on steel imports despite the Clinton Administration saying the measure violates the U.S. commitments to the World Trade Organization. Clinton and others in his administration have pointedly warned that Japan must address a host of other irritants, including, most importantly, rising steel shipments to the United states. While steel shipments from Japan are running below last year's levels, Clinton said he impressed on Obuchi the need to make sure they remain low. The administration has been pushing Japan to boost its own economy to help lift its Asian neighbors out of recession and take pressure off the U.S. trade deficit. Obuchi brought with him an optimistic economic forecast for Japan, saying massive government spending and serious efforts to deal with Japan's banking crisis should show results soon. Japan is readying for a "major turnaround," he said. Trade tensions between the two nations were not evident during Monday evening's official dinner welcoming Obuchi to the United States. The Japanese leader was feted in a pavilion on the White House South Lawn replete with its own garden entrance. Shrubbery lined the light jade-colored walls of the pavilion, with some greenery delicately interwoven in the chandeliers. Obuchi sat at a table with Ethel Kennedy. As a graduate student, he visited Washington in 1963 and met with her husband, then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Obuchi described his meeting with Kennedy as having a major impact on his decision to launch a political career. When he visited Washington 36 years ago, Obuchi stayed at the YMCA, which charged $1.50 a night. But things have changed, he noted. "Well, this time no charge," the Japanese leader quipped in English. About 340 guests attended the event, enjoying cocktails in the East Room before packing into red trolleys that cruised down a back driveway of the White House to the dinner pavilion. Obuchi and the guests were entertained by pianist Van Cliburn, who has performed for every president since Harry Truman. Cliburn chose his own music, including pieces by Chopin, Brahms and Rachmaninoff. The National Park Service, along with the White House staff, created the garden and floral arrangements around the pavilion. Azaleas and lugustrums bedecked the sides of the tent, while fresh lilacs and white peonies topped the tables. A similar pavilion style set-up welcomed Emperor Akihito of Japan when he visited the Clintons nearly five years ago. The garden theme also made an appearance in the dessert. White House dessert chef Ronald Messnier prepared a plate set with a Bonsai tree of green and brown chocolate sitting along a bridge over a river of green kiwi sauce. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Tuesday, May 4, 1999
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