The new Trans Pacific Partnership is boosting Canada’s beef sales to Japan. That agreement that does not include the United States has led to a surge of beef exports from Canada although official numbers aren’t yet available. That’s concerning to Nebraska Cattlemen Association President Mike Drinnen.
He says having access in the global market is imperative to the success of U.S. cattle producers who need bilateral deals in order to compete.
The new TPP has cut Japanese tariffs on imports of chilled beef from 38.7 percent to 27.5 percent giving Canada, Australia and New Zealand an 11 percent tariff advantage over U.S beef. Drinnen says that’s why reaching a bilateral deal with Japan soon is so important.
The recent government shutdown delayed planned bilateral trade talks between the U.S. and Japan but those talks are expected to begin soon. Japan has indicated it would give the U.S. similar tariff concessions made to those in the new TPP.
