Japan poised to start Mercosur trade talks, seeking oil, more car exports

Access to South American resources outweighs worries over impact on farm sector

Mercosur is among the few major global markets with which Japan has yet to negotiate a free trade deal. © Reuters

TOKYO -- Japan is set to begin talks with South American trade bloc Mercosur toward an economic partnership agreement, Nikkei has learned, as Tokyo pursues alternative sources of oil and critical minerals as well as lower tariffs on its autos in a growing market.