WASHINGTON – On Friday, December 9, 2022, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Japan’s Ambassador to the United States Koji Tomita, confirmed that amendments to the beef safeguard trigger level under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) will enter into force on January 1, 2023. This amendment will allow U.S. beef exporters to more reliably meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality beef, providing more predictability and reducing the probability that safeguard duties would be imposed on U.S. beef, as occurred in early 2021.
Here’s what they are saying about the announcement:
House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott [D-GA]: “Japan is a top export destination for U.S. beef and today’s announcement marks an important development for the U.S. beef industry. The exchange of letters formalizes the updated beef safeguard mechanism agreement that Japan approved in November, allowing our beef producers to expand their export opportunities and meet Japanese demand for high-quality U.S. beef”
“International trade is critical for our producers, and this announcement is a further indicator of the Biden Administration’s commitment that we continue to engage with our trading partners to find additional avenues for American agricultural products in foreign markets.”
Senator John Cornyn [R-TX]: “Opening up additional markets and promoting predictability for Texas beef producers is a good thing. I will always advocate for Texas’ ranchers and producers, and I’m pleased that this safeguard will enter into force in the new year to protect them from unintended tariff increases as they provide top-notch beef to this important ally.”
Senator Michael Bennet [D-CO]: “I applaud Ambassador Tai and the Biden-Harris Administration for securing this deal to increase the beef safeguard trigger level under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. This will help grow our state’s beef exports to Japan and create more market certainty for Colorado and American ranchers.”
Representative Adrian Smith [R-NE]: “The Japanese government's approval of the revised beef safeguard mechanism strengthens the opportunity for American producers to meet growing demand for high-quality beef. This is a concrete example of how market access is so important for American agriculture, and I thank Ambassador Tai for her work to get the agreement to enter into force.”
