INTERVIEW: ICC Head Wants Japan to Help Re-Establish Global Trade Order

Tokyo, Dec. 19 (Jiji Press)–Japan should play a key part in re-establishing order in the global trading system disrupted by U.S.-China tensions and U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies, John Denton, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, said Friday. Japan “plays a very important and pivotal role,” Denton said in an interview in Tokyo. It’s the only Asian member of the Group of Seven major economies and part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, he said. Trade used to be the driver of global economic growth but now it does not, he said. When asked about the Japanese economy, he said, “Rapid changes in government is very unhelpful when you want to have consistent policy framework.” He added, “I think having stable political leadership will help.” He said that “the disposition of Japan…is always toward open trade, and that is something that we want the Japanese government to help us on a global basis.” The ICC is a Paris-based global business organization that represents companies across more than 170 countries. It aims to promote international trade and investment, making proposals about the global economy and handling dispute resolution. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]