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U.S., Japan Agree to First Stage of Limited-Scope, Agricultural Trade Deal

U.S., Japan Agree to First Stage of Limited-Scope, Agricultural Trade Deal

President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe hosted on the sidelines of this week’s U.N. General Assembly a signing ceremony revolving around an initial trade agreement reportedly allowing for $7 billion of U.S. agricultural exports, including potential exports of U.S. ethanol, into the Japanese market. Media reports from earlier in the week noted ongoing difficulty to agree to a deal due to lingering U.S. threats to impose tariffs on imports of Japanese cars, while Japan sought commitment from the Trump Administration to not levy such tariffs. However, national press have reported this week that both sides have agreed to favorable terms, paving the way for increased trade between the world’s largest and third largest economies.

“Japan remains an important market for U.S. sorghum exports and, as Kansas is the largest sorghum producing state in the nation, we applaud the Administration for continuing to pursue expanded market access in Japan on behalf of Kansas agriculture,” said Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association Chairman Kent Winter.

Earlier this summer, and in conjunction with United Sorghum Checkoff Program’s Export Sorghum event in Dallas, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission facilitated numerous international trade teams, including a Japanese delegation, hosted by sorghum farms, elevators, mills, and ethanol plants across the state in an effort to increase demand and expand market potential for Kansas sorghum producers. You can read more about that market initiative here.