BISMARCK, N.D. – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring applauded the initial U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed today by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New York. The agreement provides market access for certain agricultural and industrial goods, as well as digital trade. Negotiations continue for a more comprehensive agreement with Japan to address remaining barriers.
Under the agreement, Japan will eliminate or lower tariffs for certain U.S. agricultural products and will provide preferential U.S.-specific quotas for other agricultural goods.
“I am thankful for the leadership of President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer on this deal,” Goehring said. “I am extremely pleased to see tariffs being reduced or eliminated and quotas being expanded.”
Goehring said that the agreement is a win for North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers. Specifically, beef, pork, wheat, wheat products, barley, malt, dairy products like cheese and whey, fructose, potato starch and ethanol will all see economic benefit from the signing of this agreement.
“I am also happy that this trade agreement aligns with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in tariff rate reductions over the same timeline,” Goehring said. “This is very beneficial for American agriculture and our North Dakota farmers and ranchers.”
Japan is a $12.9 billion business for U.S. agriculture. More details can be found on the agreement at https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/fact-sheets/2019/september/fact-sheet-us-japan-trade-agreement.