Hennings: Hopefully Japan Will Start A Domino Effect

Excitement continues following the signing ceremony of a bilateral trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan.  Michelle Hennings Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers said Japan is routinely one of the top markets when it comes to wheat exports, importing roughly three million metric tons per year.

“We have built relationships with Japan, over a long period of time, and when we pulled out of TPP, we were extremely worried because that relationship is important to us.  And once you lose a relationship like that, it’s hard to get that back.”

Hennings said thankfully, the agreement with Japan puts U.S. growers on a level playing field with Australia and Canada wheat.  She added while striking up a bilateral with Japan was a huge relief for Washington growers, she’s hopeful Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer can strike up a deal with China.

“For wheat that was an emerging market.  Right now, we’re not selling anything, so it’s important that now we have Japan signed, we’re hoping that will be a domino effect and we can start opening up markets and being able to sell out wheat from the U.S.”