Japan and the United States have resumed trade negotiations
and agriculture issues are front a center, according to a report by a Japanese
newspaper, Kyodo News.
The U.S. is pushing for improved terms for selling beef and
pork and Japan is seeking improved terms for car sales.
These are the same issues in negotiations with Canada.
The National Pork Producers Association in the U.S. is
pushing for tariff-free access to the Japanese market, saying South Korea has
done it, so Japan ought to be able to do the same.
The newspaper says the negotiators hope to reach agreement
by fall, setting the stage for continued progress in the Trans-Pacific
Partnership negotiations.
Canada and Japan have come under fire for insisting on
continued protection for farmers during TPP negotiations. In Canada’s case, it’s
high tariffs to protect dairy and poultry farmers who use the power of
marketing boards to restrain production to achieve relatively high and steady
prices for their milk, eggs and birds.
