Cameron calls for end to trade barriers

British prime minister David Cameron began a four-day tour of Asia by calling on Japan to end trade restrictions on British companies to open the way for a free-trade agreement with the EU.

“Last year I pushed hard to get backing of fellow EU leaders for work to start scoping out the shape of such an EU-Japan free-trade deal,” he said ahead of a meeting with Japan’s premier Yoshihiko Noda.

“I really hope we can open formal negotiations later this year. But in order to win the argument in the EU, Japan needs to demonstrate its readiness and commitment to non-tariff barriers.”