Breakthrough Eludes Trade Negotiators

Negotiators from the United States and Japan voiced increasing pessimism Thursday over chances of agreement in a contentious trade fight involving autos.

The Clinton administration continued to insist that Thursday and today represented the make-or-break period for its 20-month campaign to force open Japan’s market to American-made vehicles and auto parts.

U.S. sanctions against Japan were seen as the most likely outcome if the talks failed.