EU, Japan approve trade deal for 2019 start

STRASBOURG, Dec 12 (Reuters): The European Union (EU) and Japanese plans to form the world's largest free trade area cleared their final hurdle on Wednesday when EU lawmakers backed a partnership set to enter force early next year.

The European Parliament voted 474 in favour to 156 against the agreement that binds two economies accounting for about a third of global gross domestic product and also signals their rejection of protectionism.

Both face trade tensions with Washington and remain subject to US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminium, although the two have agreed to start separate trade talks with the United States (US).