MPs want free trade with Japan

Lawmakers from four political parties represented in Iceland's parliament have tabled a resolution urging the government to start preparations for free trade talks with Japan. Either bilaterally or through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) where Iceland is a member along with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland has already signed a free trade agreement with Japan.

The MPs, who belong to the Social Democratic Alliance, the Independence Party, the Left Green Movement and Bright Future, point to the Japanese government's emphasis on negotiating further free trade aaccords with other countries. Including members of NATO as part of Japan's security policy. Iceland has been a member of the defence alliance since its foundation in 1949. According to a report with the resolution Icelandic export to Japan in 2013 amounted to 11.5 billion krónur or 95.8 million dollars. Mainly seafood. Import from Japan at the same time amounted to 8.5 billion krónur or 70.8 million dollars.

The Icelandic government has already voiced the possibility of a free trade agreement with the Japanese government. Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister for the Environment, met twice with Japanese government ministers earlier this year where the matter was discussed. Iceland signed a free trade agreement with China in 2013 which became effective this summer.