Last week U.S. and Japanese negotiators met to try and resolve differences over the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. Japan has been refusing to lower its tariffs to zero and the U.S. and other TPP trading partners are insisting Japan do so before a final deal can be reached. National Pork Producers Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano says they’re disappointed with Japan but aren’t giving up on reaching a resolution.
Giordano says it’s critical to get a high level deal because what ever is agreed to will be in place for a long time.
Giordano says the heart of a true free trade agreement is tariff elimination and there can’t be a TPP without it. He says not only does the U.S. insist Japan come to the table but so do the other top pork producing countries in the TPP.