politics

Farm vote in 2020 race behind Trump's push for swift Japan deal

32 Comments
By Ko Hirano

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

32 Comments
Login to comment

Donny can appease the farmers by getting a trade win or providing more socialist handouts in the form of subsidies.

What a complete and utter moron.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

I certainly hope the USA is given better terms regarding the export of Beef to Japan. However, it will be difficult. When Japan signed its TPP agreement with Australia and New Zealand, the terms were decent, not great, but decent. If Japan signs a new deal with the USA, it would be difficult to give the USA better terms than those given Australia and NZ.... and I doubt those 'decent', terms with TPP, will satisfy Trump. And when I say 'decent'. Basically, over over the time of a few years, import tariffs would be reduced. Also, if the percentage of imports jumped too quickly, it would trigger a lower fixed import percentage to slow things down.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

"With the April 1 rate cut, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and Mexican beef are now subject to a 26.6 percent duty while the rate for U.S. beef remains at 38.5 percent."

Consider this, even with the 26.6% tariff, imported beef is STILL cheaper than domestic beef, and if an agreement is made with the US, Japanese beef will become what it should be, in my opinion, a "niche" market, as it is far too expensive for the average consumer.

26% is still far too high.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Maybe should've signed on to the TPP, Donny!

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Grass-fed Aussie beef tastes better than grain-fed US beef, in my opinion. And that has nothing to do with tariffs.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Trump withdrew from the TPP...

Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore started the TPP. But it's so funny since most Trump voters think that Obama is the one who started it. Revenge politics does come back to bite you. Especially Trump voters. All because Trump could not take a joke at the WH correspondence dinner when Obama burned him.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I remember when everyone was against TPP. Seems a brilliant move by the shadow government. Put the hated Trump in the Oval Office and have him get us out of TPP. Now suddenly TPP was pure gold but the hated Dump ruined it!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

 Seems a brilliant move by the shadow government. Put the hated Trump in the Oval Office and have him get us out of TPP.

It's too early for conspiracy theories.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Japanese auto makers have gained massive profits even though there are unfair tariffs by the US. But Japanese livestock farmers are endangered. On the other hand Japanese people want to eat good quality American beef at reasonable prices. The problem is complicated.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

As others noted - the current tariffs are based on the tpp agreement which Trump pulled out of as soon as he was in office. Within days I think.

His main objection was that he believed it was instituted by his hated enemy Obama, who was set to sell out the good people of the US.

Bumbling Trump, now blubbering, deserves all the condemnation he receives. He sold out his own citizens for pride and lack of foresight.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

The TTP for the US was never gold and was really all in Japan’s favour which is why they suddenly rushed in getting it signed as soon as Trump pulled out as it was only the USA who could have forced a better deal. Trump did blow it because instead of pulling out he should have come in heavy handed. There is no reason he cannot make a bi-lateral trade which betters that of the TTP. Japan is heavily dependant in the USA. Personally I could do without the US agricultural product as I am not so trusting of it anymore not that the Japanese stuff is that trustworthy either. Seen enough food scams here and zero oversight by the government on the issue to have any faith in it or the labelling. Geez where do you even get certified organic in Japan? Unless you go down to the local Ba-Chan patch of land and try and purchase directly but it’s all usually for family production. One of the things I love about Japan is their home grown vege patches!

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I remember when everyone was against TPP.

I was - but a large part of the problem I had with it were intellectual copyright issues that the US were imposing. Once the US was out of it, so were those issues.

I'm still on the fence about it. But not as fearful of it as I was when the US was pushing the dialogue.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Japan has opposed quotas restraining Japanese auto exports and other trade-distorting measures that are incompatible with World Trade Organization rules.

This is a mouthful of mumbo-jumbo here. "trade-distorting" measures? Just what the hell is "Japan" talking about here? The auto-parts market? Automobiles? Beef?

Just what "measures" are being taken that "distort" the trade balance and are incompatible with WTO Rules.

Personally speaking, I am scratching my head trying to figure out just what the hell is being referred to here?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@yoshi, Japanese people want to eat good quality beef, at reasonable prices, period. Leave out the "American" from your claim, and you make a lot more sense.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Trump -- who, according to polls, trails potential Democratic contenders such as former Vice President Joe Biden 

Yeah, RealClearPolitics has Biden up by 8.9 points over Trump! Hee hee! Biden may not even be able to beat Kamala for the nomination. Trump will mop the floor with either of them.

"Trump needs a trade win and Japan will be a big win," 

He's already got trade wins, he's gonna get this one with Japan and the big one with China too. He doesn't know how to stop winning.

"good quality American beef " is an oxymoron,

Amazing how even at inflated prices in Japan the Japanese be gobbling it up, and when they're in the U.S. they be gobbling it up, hehe

Maybe should've signed on to the TPP, Donny!

Bwahahaha! Even HRC was eventually against the TPP, Speed.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

If Japan is "forced" to take US goods, that will generate lots of negative publicity and nobody will buy them if they are sold here.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If Trump had stayed in the TPP, he would already have what he is demanding. I don't get his strategy.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Grass-fed Aussie beef tastes better than grain-fed US beef, in my opinion

also lot less antibiotics is used for grass fed cattle over grain fed like corn. Australias strict quarantine practices and almost zero outbreaks of livestock diseases, no madcow in the last 40yrs you can understand why Aussie beef is a quality safe affordable product

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Australias strict quarantine practices and almost zero outbreaks of livestock diseases, no madcow in the last 40yrs you can understand why Aussie beef is a quality safe affordable product

What is this? An ad for Aussie beef? Lol! BTW mad cow disease was only first identified in 1986 in England!!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

"Trump threatened to "change" the United States' security treaty with Japan,"

But is Japan going to cave in to Trumps blackmail and extortion or  is it going to get a spine? Why not end occupation of Japan in return for more farm purchases and saving Trumps rump?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Japan who lost wwII had been taking advantage of its situation and care from the USA. Japan still want to benefit that way forever even though the winner is asking for change. Doesn't work that way forever.

That is why Abe-san has to level up its military gear and promote SDF.

I hope the pacific position will be held forever and above all.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Its campaign season. All politicans try and get things done or keep their "promises" around this time. Trump is no different. You do what you think will make the people happy and vote for you when the election comes. The average voter tends to have short memory and focus on "what have you done for me lately?"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yoshi, Japanese people want to eat high quality beef from time to time. Many don’t care about the cost (depends on who you ask of course) and nearly nobody cares about it coming from America. America does not really have the reputation for producing good beef, compared to other countries.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What is this? An ad for Aussie beef? Lol! BTW mad cow disease was only first identified in 1986 in England!!

actually no just stating some facts, the whole reason mad cow came came about was because farmers were using leftover body parts from abattoirs drying and powdering them and mixing them with cattle feed, like corn (which requires higher level of antibiotics use) ). Why to cut costs and save money, Australia predicted this in the 90s and banned the use of these byproduct in feed and didnt suffer from mad cow outbreaks. Some countries didnt ban it and suffered as a result. So like I just stated Australia and NZ are now w benefiting as a result of its strict quarantine and cattle feed practices while some countries still continue to have outbreaks. Once again no advertisements required just stating the facts.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Grass-fed Aussie beef tastes better than grain-fed US beef, in my opinion. And that has nothing to do with tariffs.

That depends on whom you ask.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites