Dismantling trade barriers crucial for Japan’s auto industry in 2018

In mid-November, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), a forum that encompasses many of the Pacific Rim countries, held its annual meeting in Vietnam. The talks turned into a bruising battle over the future direction of trade, with the free(er)-traders and China just about edging out the protectionism of the US president, Donald Trump, in the group's final statement. For Japan, the debate will be crucial to the success of its automotive industry in 2018.