The United States and South Korea met for a fourth day Friday but reported no breakthroughs in their effort to resolve a trade dispute involving American demands for greater access to the Korean auto market.
U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor told reporters it was possible both sides would get together again in the next few days, but he refused to characterize what progress, if any, was being made.Negotiators are working against a U.S.-imposed deadline of next Wednesday to resolve the dispute.
After then, Kantor could decide to launch a yearlong investigation that could result in retaliatory tariffs against Korean products or he could bring unfair trading charges against South Korea before the World Trading Organization.
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association, representing General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, is seeking a formal investigation against South Korea under a section of law known as "Super 301."
Steve Collins, director of international affairs for the association, said Friday that if Korea doesn't agree to open its markets, the administration should consider a two-track approach of pursuing the Super 301 case and filing a case with the WTO.
"We know that other countries share a deep and growing frustration with Korea. They face exactly the same restrictions we do," he said. "The solution may well involve working with other countries."
The United States was criticized sharply when it pursued unilateral sanctions this summer against Japanese automotive barriers instead of taking the case to the WTO.
The U.S. auto industry contends that South Korea has erected even more restrictive barriers against American products than Japan.