National Cattlemen Beef Association leaders are expressing concerns with this week’s announcement of a bilateral trade deal between Japan and Australia. Both of those countries are involved in the Trans Pacific Partnership discussions which have been blocked by Japan refusing to grant full market access to the other nations in the deal. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall says the bi lateral deal has implications that could negatively affect TPP.

Woodall says while Japan made some mitigating moves with their bi lateral deal with Australia, that type of movement won ‘t be accepted in the TPP and Japan will need to bring their tariffs to zero for that agreement to pass.

Woodall is hoping President Obama will take a firm stance with Japan on TPP when he goes there this month for discussions with their Prime Minister.