Dollar Turns In Mixed Performance

The dollar was mixed in quiet dealings Wednesday, firming against the Japanese yen as high-level U.S.Japan trade talks commenced and slipping against the German mark ahead of France’s presidential elections.

U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor and Japanese Trade Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto met in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the first day of their talks about further opening Japanese markets to the U.S. automotive business.

Trading was thin as participants sat on the sidelines awaiting news out of the negotiations.

In late New York trading, the dollar was quoted at 83.65 yen, up from 83.60 late Tuesday.

Canada .7334 1.3635 France .2044 4.8920 Germany .7289 1.3720 Great Britain 1.6166 .6186 Italy .000602 1662.00 Japan .011983 83.45 Mexico .172117 5.8100