Relief Coming on Japanese Beef Tariff

Relief Coming on Japanese Beef Tariff

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
Last summer Japan announced tariffs on imported US frozen beef products of 50 percent. It was a safeguard to protect Japan's beef producers.

The tariff is expected to expire at the end of March. It is expected to revert back to the former 38 percent. USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney is back from Japan, where he discussed ag trade issues with Japanese leaders and met with Japanese buyers at a large regional food show.

US frozen beef exports were down 13 percent in January according to the US Beef Export Federation. At the same time beef exports value rose to over 33 million dollars.

When the tariffs were announced Terry Frankhauser, Executive Vice President of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association called them an artificial trigger and a loss for Japanese consumers for whom US beef is one of their key dining pleasures. He accurately predicted it would reduce the amount of beef that gets traded.

Previous ReportColorado Ag Day at the Capitol
Next ReportFruit and Vegetable Growers Pick Tech Winners