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Montana AG Network: Praise for new U.S.-Japan trade deal

Japan US Beef
Posted at 10:40 AM, Oct 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-08 13:48:02-04

Farmers and ranchers are applauding the new trade agreement between the United States and Japan that will keep American agricultural products flowing into this lucrative Asian market.

During a White House signing ceremony Monday, President Trump emphasized the new trade agreement’s significance to U.S. farmers and ranchers. Japan is the U.S. beef cattle industry’s number one export market valued at more than $2 billion.

US Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) attended the signing ceremony along with Fred Wacker, a rancher from Miles City and president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Wacker says the new agreement is good for both ranchers and Japanese consumers.

The newly signed trade deal with Japan is also good news for U.S. wheat farmers. U.S. wheat represents about 50% of all the wheat Japan imports each year, currently valued at more than $600 million and the Japanese really love that high-quality Dark Northern Spring Wheat that's grown in Montana.