Baucus Pushes for Japan to End Restrictions on U.S. Beef During Meeting with Prime Minister
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met Aug. 23 with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba to break down trade barriers and seek new market access for U.S. exporters that would help create American jobs, Baucus' office said in a press release. Sen. Baucus also discussed the possibility of Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at some point in the future.
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“Japan is a close trading partner, and strengthening our relationship will create jobs at home and help the U.S. stay competitive in the global economy. As part of strengthening this relationship, I let Japan’s Foreign Minister know they need to end Japan’s unscientific restrictions on 100-percent safe and delicious U.S. beef," said Baucus. "Unfounded and unscientific restrictions ... cost us jobs. The growing markets all across the Pacific are ripe for American exports and we need to make sure American ranchers, farmers, and businesses have access and can compete on a level playing field. The U.S. can play a major role in the economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and strong trade relations with Japan will be a key to that effort.”