We thought that the U.S. represented Canada and Mexico."
Japanese officials say they believed they were also negotiating with Canada and Mexico when they struck a controversial side agreement with the United States on automobiles last year during the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.
They did not explain why they thought the United States was negotiating on behalf of Canada and the Mexico.
The Liberal government signed the TPP earlier this month in New Zealand, but says it will not formally ratify the deal it inherited from the Harper government until it consults Canadians and puts it to a vote in Parliament.
The Japanese officials said their country has no official timetable for ratification, but there is hope that might occur by the end of June.
Japan hosts this year's G7 summit, and Dion and Kishida have a broad agenda that also includes combating terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change.
Kishida's visit is the first visit to Canada by a Japanese foreign minister in 20 years.
Dion and Kishida met in November at the APEC summit in Manila and struck up a good rapport, said the Japanese officials.
Japan Says It Wasn't Excluding Canada From TPP Side Talks With The U.S.
Japanese officials say they believed they were also negotiating with Canada and Mexico when they struck a controversial side agreement with the United States on automobiles last year during the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.
They did not explain why they thought the United States was negotiating on behalf of Canada and the Mexico.
The Liberal government signed the TPP earlier this month in New Zealand, but says it will not formally ratify the deal it inherited from the Harper government until it consults Canadians and puts it to a vote in Parliament.
The Japanese officials said their country has no official timetable for ratification, but there is hope that might occur by the end of June.
Japan hosts this year's G7 summit, and Dion and Kishida have a broad agenda that also includes combating terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change.
Kishida's visit is the first visit to Canada by a Japanese foreign minister in 20 years.
Dion and Kishida met in November at the APEC summit in Manila and struck up a good rapport, said the Japanese officials.
Japan Says It Wasn't Excluding Canada From TPP Side Talks With The U.S.
