The Biden administration has dropped efforts to pressure Japan to include anti-whaling language in its signature Indo-Pacific trade pact after fierce opposition from Tokyo and concern from some US officials.

The US trade representative had been pushing Japan to accept anti-whaling language in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a trade deal the administration is negotiating with 13 Indo-Pacific nations. But USTR, an agency led by Katherine Tai, has reversed course because of the opposition, according to three people familiar with the move.

The Financial Times reported last week that Tokyo had strenuously objected to including anti-whaling language in IPEF. One senior Japanese official said Tokyo was prepared to abandon IPEF unless the US backed down, which would have dealt a blow to Washington and a deal it hopes will provide an economic counterweight to China.