Trade Talks With Japan Remain A Priority

Attention in the trade world has been focus on China for many month, but two top U.S. Ag officials say once progress is made there, attention will turn to Japan.

"I hope everybody gets the sense of urgency on my part with regards to U-S Ag exports to Japan. My sense is we can't get to Japan fast enough."

Gregg Doud with the U.S. Trade Office as well as USDA's Ted McKinney speaking at last week's Ag Outlook Forum.  The two say the urgency to reach a bilateral deal with Japan stems from similar agreements made Japan in recent months with America's competitors; deals that could impact U.S. Ag exports bound for Japan.

And while McKinney says U.S./Japanese relations remain strong, he acknowledges, “after a while, price can wear away. That's why I think there's this urgency to get to Japan, so we can maintain that market presence."

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