In the realm of diplomacy, the statement that something is difficult is a polite way of saying, “No.”

But the significance of such a statement will vary across cultures.

From an American, it might mean, “I want a better deal.”

That being said, the Japanese are famously oblique about saying no, so when it’s the Japanese economy minister saying it, this is a remarkably strong statement:

Japan’s Economy Minister Akira Amari said on Saturday he saw progress in Asia-Pacific regional trade negotiations, although it would be difficult to reach an agreement by the end of the year, according to Jiji press.

Trade ministers from the 12 nations participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact held talks on the sidelines of an annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) meeting in Beijing

This is a good thing.

The TPP is a very bad thing, even by the standards of trade agreement.

It is a neoliberal corporatist wet dream.