The U.S. Grains Council strongly supports the recent announcement by the Office of U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis of its completion of bilateral negotiations with Japan regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). With the announcement, USTR will formally notify Congress of its intent to support formal inclusion of Japan into the TPP negotiations.

The Council has enjoyed over 50 years of cooperation and relationships working to innovate the Japanese feed, livestock and starch industries. Because of this mutual relationship and our commitment to be a long-term reliable supplier, Japan has been the number one customer of U.S. corn exports.

TPP is an ambitious, next-generation, regional trade agreement that seeks to create a “new millennium model for trade.” As the world’s third largest economy, the addition of Japan will provide the platform for a Free Trade Area of Asia Pacific and will strengthen our economic and strategic relationship. TPP will also provide opportunities for free and fair trade. And when trade works, the world wins.

The TPP objective of removing tariff and non-tariff barriers will require adjustments both in the U.S. and Japanese agricultural sectors. The Council pledges to continue the long-standing dialogue and cooperation as the TPP negotiations evolve, particularly as the Japanese feed, livestock and starch sectors adjust to the present and future realities of supply, demand and trade.

The Council believes that Japan is well positioned to not only remain a strong customer of the U.S. feed grains industry, but that it will have enormous opportunities to meet future Asian consumer-driven demand for high value and quality food.