U.S Wheat Associates Very Happy On News Of Trade Deal With Japan

On Sunday, President Trump announced a trade agreement in principle with Japan, keeping exports of American products, such as wheat, moving into a very large market.  While few details have been released, and it still needs to be approved by Japan’s Legislature, U.S. Wheat Associates applauded the deal.  USW Vice President Steve Mercer said the proposal will protect business deals and interests American wheat producers currently have in Japan, while allowing the U.S. to enjoy trade benefits similar to TPP.

“They import a significant amount of soft white wheat, of spring wheat, and of hard red winter wheat.  If fact the U.S. has enjoyed a 50% market share there, Canada and Australia split the rest.  So this deal puts us on the same footing as Canada and Australia.”

Mercer added American wheat growers have been growing the Japanese market for a generation.

“Oregon Wheat Growers League first visited Japan to look at the opportunity there in 1949.  The Western Wheat Associates, which is a legacy organization to U.S. Wheat, opened an office there 62 years ago.  So, this is a market that wheat farmers built and has created a relationship that is very, very important.  Critical even.”

He continued this will help rural ag economies that continue struggle.  Mercer added special thanks to Chief Ag Negotiator Gregg Doud and USDA under secretary Ted McKinney, who went the extra mile to ensure Japan was an open market for U.S. producers.

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