America’s dairy farmers are urging President Trump to work on opening up the Japanese market as soon as possible. Officials are getting ready to begin trade talks between the two countries next month.
The National Milk Producers Federation was one of four groups that gave testimony at the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the potential trade pact. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is also holding a hearing about the possible agreement with Japan.
U.S. dairy exports to Japan could grow by 450 percent if American farmers had full access to the country’s market. It would also raise dairy farmers’ income by up to $12 billion over the next decade. However, Politico says there might be a problem with that idea.
President Trump has already agreed not to press the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to expand access to Japan’s ag markets when they agreed back in September to start talks aimed at establishing a bilateral agreement between the nations.
Source: National Association of Farm Broadcasters