MALAYSIA, JAPAN AGREE ON FREE TRADE AREA

摘要

Malaysia and Japan agreed Sunday to set up a free trade area as part of a comprehensive economic relationship, after the two countries resolved the last differences in emergency high-level talks. "We have now finalized everything," International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz told reporters, after meeting with Japanese Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa. Nakagawa arrived in Malaysia Sunday for last-ditch negotiations. Nakagawa and Rafidah refused to give details of compromises on auto and steel tariffs, with Nakagawa describing it as "a national secret."