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Congressman Brad Sherman Statement on the Arrival of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

April 28, 2015

Washington DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, released the following statement upon the arrival of Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan.

"I am very pleased to see the Prime Minister visiting the United States and look forward to his speech before Congress. Since the end of World War II, nearly 70 years ago, relations between our countries have flourished. With Japan as our partner, we've promoted democracy and fought terrorism, and also developed advanced technologies that are used around the world today. Our continued alliance in the Asia-Pacific is critical to the growth, safety and security of both our nations.

"However, as the United States negotiates the Trans Pacific Partnership, which I strongly oppose, I am concerned that the agreement's failure to deal with currency manipulation and Japan's barriers to agriculture and automobiles might hurt American workers.

"I hope that we can explore other ways to deepen the US-Japan relationship rather than by negotiating a trade agreement that will increase America's trade deficit and depress American wages."

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Issues:Trade