Trade-talk plan broached for Japan, EC, and US

The European Common Market Commission suggested regular informal trade talks among the European Community, Japan, and the United States. The proposal, to be discussed by EC government leaders later this month, would be a follow-up to Japan's apparent desire for greater harmony in its links with EC and the US.

Japan has agreed to restrain car exports to several EC countries, the US and Canada, and expressed willingness to negotiate with the EC on trade issues, rather than with individual countries. The EC Commission has welcomed this as a potential turning point in EC-Japan relations. But officials are still skeptical about the practical effects of Japan's declarations.