EC and US buffet Japan with calls to ease exports

Japan was told that the European Common Market (EC) expected it to take action to curb Japanese exports to Western Europe. Sir Roy Denman, the EC Commission's director general for external affairs, said the Common Market was concerned over its widening trade deficit with Japan. Increased Japanese exports -- particularly cars and electronic goods -- were largely responsible.

The EC talks took place after a warning from the Reagan administration's chief trade negotiator, Bill Brock, that it would be hard pressed to maintain its fr ee trade policy if Japan agreed to curb EC car exports.