US and Japan trade agreement to improve red meat exports

The US and Japanese Governments have signed an agreement that aims to improve access for US red meat in Japan.

Japan is reported to be one of the biggest markets for US pork and beef exports.

US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO Dan Halstrom said: “This announcement is tremendous news for US farmers and ranchers, and everyone in the red meat supply chain because it will level the playing field for US pork and beef in the world’s most competitive red meat import market.

“It is also a very positive development for our customer base in Japan, which USMEF and our industry partners have spent decades building. These customers have been very loyal to US pork and beef, but our exports to Japan could not reach their full potential under Japan’s current tariff structure.”

The agreement between the two nations was announced at the press conference for the G7 summit that took place in France with US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

Additionally, the National Pork Producers Council (NPCC), which represents the US pork industry, has welcomed the trade agreement with Japan.

NPPC president David Herring said: “We thank the Trump administration for negotiating a trade agreement with Japan, a market that represented 25% of total US pork exports last year.

“We look forward to rapid implementation of the agreement as international competitors are currently taking US pork market share through more favourable access.”