Japan, US trade talks fail to close gap

Intensive talks between Japan and the United States aimed at breaking the deadlock over a huge pan-Pacific trade deal ended Thursday without agreement, as hopes faded of progress before Barack Obama arrives in Tokyo this month. US Trade Representative Michael Froman and his Japanese counterpart Akira Amari said 18 hours of discussions had done little to reduce the "distance" between them, especially on farm and auto products. "We made some progress over the last two days but still considerable differences in positions and key issues" remain, Froman said. "We agreed today that our negotiators will continue until the end of the week (with) the discussion on agriculture and autos," he said, according to AFP.