1.   A handful of thorny trade issues divide the U.S. and Japan, threatening to keep the close defense allies at odds over economic policy.

2.   They made little progress, however, in resolving their differences on thorny trade issues after their first meeting in two years.

3.   European Union and South African officials on Friday reported good progress toward a broad economic cooperation agreement but cautioned they had not yet tackled thorny trade issues.

4.   The two sides agreed during talks here to expedite a framework accord on trade cooperation, despite differences on some thorny trade issues, the official said.

5.   The spokesman said however that there was little hope that the thorny trade issues would be resolved ahead of the summit.