Friday a top U.S. Envoy said Japan and the United States are moving closer to reaching agreement on market access issues in the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Todd Wilkinson says that’s good news because Japan is an important market for U.S. beef.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken urged members of the Japanese Association of Corporate Executives to use their influence to convince officials to work toward consensus on finalizing the TPP. Wilkinson says that’s a positive sign.

Wilkinson says while the TPP may also be important for Japan, there’s no doubt it’s important for a number of nations including the U.S.

President Obama’s goal with TPP is to boost exports to the fastest growing region in the World.