TOKYO â It still is too early to assess the total impact the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement has had on Japanâs imports of U.S. beef and wheat.
Market watchers do see a positive impact from the trade deal, in effect since January of last year, but point out the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated matters.
Because of COVID-19, the past year would have been an especially bad time for U.S. beef to face a significant tariff disadvantage in its top export market, U.S. Meat Export Federation Japan director Takemichi Yamashoji said.
âSo the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement delivered important benefits for both Japanese consumers and the U.S. beef industry,â Yamashoji said.