U.S./JAPAN TRADE WAR NOT IN UK'S INTEREST - LAWSON U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson said the United States and Japan must work to avert a possible trade war, and he added that a trade war would not be in the interests of Britain. Lawson told journalists that "the prospects for the (U.K.) economy look very very good - providing we can avoid a trade war." He stressed that "a heavy responsiblity in different ways lies on Japan and the United States to ensure that we do avoid such a trade war." Asked whether he believed such a trade war could be averted, Lawson replied, "I very much hope so." Britain last week warned that it would retaliate if Japan did not move soon to open its markets to outside competition. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gave notice that the U.K. Would fight the Japanese government's attempt to prevent (Cable and Wireless Plc) (CAWL.L) from taking a significant position in a new Japanese international telecommunications venture. But British officials are now trying to dampen anti-Japanese rhetoric, to try to keep developments under control. The British Conservative government will on Thursday consider what legal options are available to it to try to increase U.K. Access to Japanese markets, officials said.