America wants Japan to meet import targets for some American goods. An unwilling Japan has decided to draw the line . Once, when Japan faced pressure from abroad, it would either give in re-luctantly or keep quiet and hope that the fuss would die down. No longer, it seems. The Clinton ad- ministration strongly believes in exerting such pressure .Its policy is to open some Japanese markets (which it deems to be closed)by setting import targets-an approach to trade policy that supporters call "results-oriented", This ugly term foreshadows uncertain consequences. Far from capitulating to this new thrust of American trade policy, Japan is taking a stand that could lead to a trans-Pacific confrontation. Japan's government is deeply opposed to what America's trade representative, Mickey Kantor, has called a new policy geared to "quantifiable results" for some products. Instead, Japan is undertaking a detailed defense of its record on trade.
What is the meaning of "draw the line"?