German Chancellor and Japan's PM defend free trade

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe raised their voice against trade protectionism, and agreed on the need for free trade.
Shin Se-min has more on what was emphasized by the two leaders at the world's biggest computer trade fair.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have reiterated their shared support for free trade.
Speaking on Sunday at a major tech-fair in Germany, the two leaders defended the idea of free trade... and distanced themselves from the protectionist stance of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Merkel stressed that Germany is strongly in favor of an open and connected world.


"We want free, open markets, of course we want fair trade, but we don't want to build any barriers. In a time when everything is becoming more connected, we want to connect our societies and cooperate with each other fairly. That is free trade."

The Japanese Prime Minister, in Germany as part of his European tour, echoed that sentiment... and expressed hope for a free trade deal to be struck between the EU and his country.


"We must show our unique solidarity, which is why I have asked to conclude an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU at an early date, and that is my sincere appeal. The open and free system based on rules has brought us here."

He added that Japan wants to be the champion, alongside Germany, of upholding open systems.
The two leaders' appeal follows the G20 finance ministers' meeting and the German Chancellor's summit with the U.S. President in Washington on Friday.
There, she told Trump she hopes the U.S. and the EU will resume discussions on a trade agreement,... to which the U.S. President said that he is not an isolationist, but that trade policy should be fairer.
Since taking office, Trump had pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific free trade pact and has repeatedly pointed the finger at export giants like China and Germany over their massive trade surpluses.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.

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