Another round of Trans Pacific Partnership talks took place last week in Washington D.C. National Pork Producers Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano says while some progress was made the sticking point remains Japan’s reluctance to bring their tariffs to zero. He says the heat is on Japan to come to the table.
Giordano says the U.S. and several other trading partners involved in the discussions are all standing firm on Japan bringing their tariffs down. He says the ball is in Japan’s court and he remains cautiously optimistic that can happen.
Giordano is encouraged by the new Congress and incoming Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnel as well as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch and their wanting to get the trade agreement approved.