Great minds seem to be working alike. Our resident Japan expert, Clive, had pointed out that the US Trade Representative, Michael Froman, had nothing to offer Japan to change its indifference to the proposed TransPacific Partnership. Only the State Department could serve up the needed inducements, and they were missing in action.
But that changed as Obama became more eager about pushing his toxic, traitorous deal over the line. We pinged Clive Wednesday evening:
I heard from a Congressional staffer today that Japan has changed its position on the TPP from being cool to being keen about it
You pointed out early on that Froman couldn’t deliver a deal, that State needed to get involved.
Apparently that happened.
I noticed the defense pact and wondered if it had anything to do with the TPP. Apparently it did.
The understanding with the “defense” agreement is that the US will let Japan go offensive.
Of course, I have no idea how that squares with the Japanese constitution.