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From The Economist Espresso

1/8
The leaders of Germany and Japan meet in Tokyo today to consecrate a new trade deal between Japan and the European Union. Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, and Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, have recently huddled closer together, as the chilly winds of protectionism blow through the global economy. On February 1st Mr Abe faced down his country’s farming lobby to pass the Economic Partnership Agreement, which covers about a third of the world’s GDP and eliminates most tariffs on European food imports to Japan. Both leaders are trying to fill the vacuum left by America. They have little choice: as major exporters, their countries’ prosperity depends heavily on open trading rules. Shared priorities means they will be careful not to tread on diplomatic toes. On a previous visit in 2015, Mrs Merkel nagged Japan to follow Germany’s lead by confronting its historical misconduct. This time, there will be no mention of the second world war.


and then!

6/8
...
Nissan, a Japanese carmaker, announced that its new X-Trail SUV model would no longer be made in its British factory in Sunderland, but back in Japan. Nissan cited political uncertainty as a factor, saying Brexit is “not helping companies like ours to plan for the future”. Britain’s government had fought hard to keep the car.
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