WASHINGTON
(July 28, 2017) - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
President Craig Uden issued the following statement in response to the
announcement that the Government of
Japan is triggering the safeguard tariff increase on frozen beef
imports:
“We're
very disappointed to learn that the tariff on frozen beef imports to
Japan will increase from 38.5 percent
to 50 percent until April 2018. Japan is the top export market for U.S.
beef in both volume and value, and anything that restricts our sales to
Japan will have a negative impact on America’s ranching families and our
Japanese consumers. NCBA opposes artificial
barriers like these because they unfairly distort the market and
punish both producers and consumers. Nobody wins in this situation. Our
producers lose access, and beef becomes a lot more expensive for
Japanese consumers. We hope the Trump Administration and
Congress realize that this unfortunate development underscores the
urgent need for a bilateral trade agreement with Japan absent the
Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
Background: Japan was the top export market for U.S. beef, valued at $1.5 billion in 2016. According to
data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation,
first quarter U.S. beef sales to Japan increased 42 percent over 2016.
In addition to the United States, the 50 percent safeguard tariff also
applies to imports from Canada, New Zealand, and other countries that do
not have a free trade agreement with Japan.