Trump complains about Japan not importing enough American rice

Check your mailbox in two weeks Japan. This happens when you don't want to do a fair trade deal with the US. You can whine or cry all you want. US tax payers don't want to work to death to pay for the rest of the world anymore. Take it or leave it. Who's next? EU or Canada?

JDToday  07:02 am JST

US tax payers don't want to work to death to pay for the rest of the world anymore. Take it or leave it. Who's next? EU or Canada?

It's the US govt that chooses where the US taxpayer's money is spent.

Not other countries.

Because Japan has plenty of BACKUP RICE.

Someone could explain this to Trump, but I'm not sure he's listen.

It's the US govt that chooses where the US taxpayer's money is spent.

Trump plans to use tariffs money from other countries to pay for tax so people who work, the last figure was $200K or less don't have to pay tax anymore. NO MORE TAX. This is AWESOME. US tax payers can keep more money in their pocket now. Hopefully it will pass.

So he's going to send a letter to Dear Mr Japan? Who's that?

"I could send one (letter) to Japan: 'Dear Mr Japan, here's the story. You're going to pay a 25 percent tariff on your cars,'" Trump said on Fox News.

More dementia symptoms...can't even remember Ishiba's name - at least he didn't call him Xi...

Multiple gaffes and mental meltdowns each day...way past time for the 25th Amendment...

Japan isn't offering up anything new to alleviate Trumps' concerns but more of the same hence his disposition. Japan is in a very precarious position as the economy is on life support with the BOJ having exhausted their ammunition. Without a deal by July 9th, the yen would slide causing further pain on Japanese consumers/companies with further stagflation and forcing the hand of the BOJ to raise rates. The majority of Japanese mortgages whether commercial and retail are floating rate. Plus with the looming upper house election, Ishiba doesn't want to appear weak.

I would gladly pay 2,000 yen for 5 kilos of California rice.

So he's going to send a letter to Dear Mr Japan? Who's that?

It shows how much he respects the person in charge, he respects and likes the country and not the person in charge. Even Japanese people don't like their prime minister. All letters to all countries who don't want to negotiate a fair deal with the USA will be Dear LOL

a fair trade deal with the US.

Japanese people don't like clunky Pontiacs. And it looks like the Chinese EVs will win in Japan. Also regarding American products, the iPhone has a very good market share in Japan.... because Japanese people like them. Sleek iPhone YES clunky Pontiac NO

First, most Japanese (and foreign residents) would likely prefer domestic rice over U.S. rice. 

Second, Trump does have a point. According to CNN, a 2021 report published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under former President Joe Biden stated that “Japan’s highly regulated and nontransparent system of importation and distribution for rice limits the ability of US exporters to have meaningful access to Japan’s consumers.”

Third, this is likely more about oil than rice. In the interview, Trump also said that Japan could purchase "a lot of oil" and other goods from the United States to reduce the trade deficit.

He is absolutely correct, and the implications of Japanese rice policy stretch beyond American farming profits. A big part of the reason a 5kg bag of rice now costs around ~4500 yen has to do with the Japanese governments artificial propping up of the domestic farmers and also their suppression of foreign competition. You can't even find Calrose rice at Aeon now because it basically sells out immediately, so I actually imagine Japanese consumers would appreciate more options being available.

I would gladly pay 2,000 yen for 5 kilos of California rice.

I'm wondering who will harvest it. ICE is creating a situation at American farms

To be fair Japan so far don't offer anything, while exploiting US generosity for decades.

The last thing Japan could do try to lower tariff for rice. However the fact japan's negotiator go back and forth that's because offer nothing significant to US.

Now already in July, trade deal deadline is closing Japan seems more to choose to sacrifice Automobile and others industry, while keeping farmer safe.

Trump already clear what he want from Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/live/tw9OUtoNJ7s?si=pd1o7OpDSxqo1Uzr&t=1817

Just see minute 30:17, also see here

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114773601644828833

However Japan just won't listen.

Japanese people don't like clunky Pontiacs.

Let consumers decide. Tariffs free, that's the way countries should operate. If tariffs are so bad, the rest of the world would not use it against the USA.

I just don’t see Japan adapting to the pace of change demanded by the Trump juggernaut. Just as Ishiba chose not to attend the NATO gathering last week, they will do what they usually do, pull back hunkered down on the Titanic and try and forget icebergs exist.

Cynicism aside, it’s all about the optics for this upcoming election. Timing is everything when it comes to politics. The electorate rewards stability (at least the perception of, even if it isn’t sustainable) over boldness, SO there will be no boat rocking or deal negotiations for a while. Way too much ammunition to give to your opposition.

Let consumers decide

They have with the iPhone especially.

Tariffs free

No tariffs in Japan for almost everything. Check Japan's government official tarrif list. It's there including English.

With all the letters Trump is sending out at least he is propping up USPS.

The problem seems why Americans buy more Japanese cars. Better buy American cars.

@JD Food security is part of national security. Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is 38% which is alarmingly low.

With all the letters Trump is sending out at least he is propping up USPS.

LOL...USPS will ask, what country is it this time.

Saw some at my local supermarket. Bit cheaper than local rice but not by that much and not exactly flying off the shelf even though the shelves were mostly bare. I would say the biggest barrier is the consumer. US needs to make superior quality at the right price to compete on a whole range of stuff. Tariffs will just raise prices in America, not force Japanese to buy more from US. Trump doesn't understand that.

I live in California. It is interesting. Food and most everything is much more expensive in California. However, rice is more expensive in Japan. Rice in Japan is about 4000 yen per 5kg (800 yen per kg} while Kokuho California rice (Normura Corporation) costs 2900 yen for 6.8kg (425 yen per kg).

Not sure if Kokuho California rice makes it up to Japanese standards, but it is surprising to me that rice is more expensive in Japan. I guess simple supply and demand.

Japan might be moving slowly to allow the development of Mitsubishi’s potential $8 billion U.S. shale acquisition of Aethon Energy Management, which has a substantial natural gas operation adjacent to the U.S. Gulf coast. 

If Mitsubishi used those U.S. shale assets to boost LNG exports to Japan, this would potentially narrow the trade deficit.

Of course, Trump might not want to hear this because, although he wants greater exports from the U.S., he doesn’t necessarily desire a foreign company based in the U.S. doing the exporting.

All letters to all countries who don't want to negotiate a fair deal with the USA will be Dear LOL

Meet JD. The new troll on the block.

I heard California cold rice is not good for sushi, sashimi, onigiri, etc. Japanese love cold rice. American cold rice is not good for Japanese but hot rice is okay.

As the US empire slowly collapses, it begins to cannibalize its "allies".

Food security is important. Jeremy Clarkson’s documentary on farming has driven home how hard it is to be a farmer and I appreciate the food, time and effort that goes into making our domestic food.

Well done President Trump.

USA produces crap. Motorbikes useless Cars useless. Rice 700,000 ton of crap cal rose imported in Japan per years goes to stock feed. If they half decent products they would get higher exports. Even with Trump devaluing the USD their badly produced products will not sell. As for California short grain rice produce enough only for the USA market. Seem to be more patriots USA comment then research knowledgeable comments.

Trump said on social media that Japan "won't take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage. In other words, we'll just be sending them a letter, and we love having them as a trading partner for many years to come."

Japan also has a rather protective rice policy. Think of it like an imperial moat around their rice paddies—high tariffs, strict quotas, and a deep cultural reverence for homegrown rice. Even if there’s a shortage, importing foreign rice is a bit like asking my wife to swap our corgi for a golden retriever. A lovely dogs, but simply not done.

nishikatToday  07:23 am JST

a fair trade deal with the US.

Japanese people don't like clunky Pontiacs.

Japanese people like econoboxes, like the Fun Cargo. Got it.

Japan had better get it together quick and show clear signs of working with the US government or they will lose big time an be left out of the new economy. What will Japan do when tourists are all "toured" out and move on to another country? Big challenges coming for a timid nation that has no vision or direction.

plasticmonkeyToday  08:01 am JST

All letters to all countries who don't want to negotiate a fair deal with the USA will be Dear LOL

Meet JD. The new troll on the block.

From the mouth of the OG.

A short-term global relaxation of imported rice would have been a political win/win

Just to ease the purse of the hard-pressed J consumer, make sense.

Only politicians can provide a masterclass in how to turn a drama into a crisis

The amount of American rice Japan is currently importing from the US is less than a large Aeon supermarket in Tokyo would sell in a single week. I can footnote that statement, too.

Ever have the feeling like you've read all this before?

Idiot

Please understand the enormous bias against Pres Trump at CNN.

CNN is the "source" of news for the world LOL. No wonder why their views are so messed up. They need to open their mind to other truthful sources. My suggestion, try X.

USA produces crap. Motorbikes useless Cars useless. Rice 700,000 ton of crap cal rose imported in Japan per years goes to stock feed.

And Japan still put 700%-800% tariffs on crap rice from the USA. Who's afraid of crap now? LOL.

I'm wondering who will harvest it. ICE is creating a situation at American farms

Americans? If the farmers can't hire enough, then people on temporary work visas. Like in Canada, Japan and most other developed countries.

the economy is on life support with the BOJ having exhausted their ammunition. 

Been hearing that over the past decade.

Japanese mindset: quality quantity

What's next, India won't buy their curry?

Japanese mindset: quality over quantiy

"I could send one (letter) to Japan: 'Dear Mr Japan, here's the story.”

He’s not well. Slurring words, angry easily. These are clear signs of dementia. I’ve seen it in hundreds of people his age.

He’s not well. Slurring words, angry easily. These are clear signs of dementia. I’ve seen it in hundreds of people his age.

Let me guess, CNN is your source? LOL. Trump just scored perfect on his IQ test and perfect physical examination but I guess you still get stuck with your source of news from CNN because they said so LOL

Japanese consumers probably would like to see Japanese farmers face off against competition, especially after the rollercoaster ride of prices recently.

Japanese consumers probably would like to see Japanese farmers face off against competition, especially after the rollercoaster ride of prices recently.

Nah, they won't do it because they are afraid of crap rice from the USA lol

Because Japan has plenty of BACKUP RICE.

They do? My entire prefecture has 2 shops that sells out immediately after the shop opens.

Unfortunately, the U.S. has few attractive products. Automobile performance is poor, rice is not tasty and there are safety concerns. Other than IPhone and oil, what else should Japan buy?

As the US empire slowly collapses, it begins to cannibalize its "allies".

You got it backward. The so called "allies" will slowly collapse because they can't take advantage of the USA anymore. Time to pay up now for the rest of the world.

He’s not well. Slurring words, angry easily. These are clear signs of dementia. I’ve seen it in hundreds of people his age.

Let me guess, CNN is your source? LOL.

Let me repeat what I wrote; I’ve seen it in hundreds of people his age.

What a hypocrite. I bet Trump never eats rice himself, and yet he is demanding Japan to buy his rice.

More like Uncle Sam finally checking the tab and realizing the “free lunch” buffet’s been open a little too long. Now it’s time for everyone to chip in, and suddenly the room gets real quiet. Funny how that works, huh?

What a hypocrite. I bet Trump never eats rice himself, and yet he is demanding Japan to buy his rice.

If Japanese rice is as good as people here on JT say and people even say US rice is crap. why not remove tariff on rice and import crap and let consumers decide? Afraid maybe?

So, has Japan put a 25% tariff on US rice?

@JD

What a hypocrite. I bet Trump never eats rice himself, and yet he is demanding Japan to buy his rice.

If Japanese rice is as good as people here on JT say and people even say US rice is crap. why not remove tariff on rice and import crap and let consumers decide? Afraid maybe?

Or how about cutting empty carbs (including rice) from your diet, and live healthier for cheaper.

I saw on the news Thai farmers have started growing Japanese short grain rice for export to Japan.

If American farmers did a similar thing I think more people would be open to eating it.

The problem with America is they expect to the world to buy their products. Instead of making/growing products the rest of the world actually wants.

The quality of American rices is, in the minds of consumers at least, inferior to Japanese grown rice. If it is not Japanese then it cant be as good. Even it it is grown by expat Japanese, and using Japonica rice strain grown in other countries.

More needs to be done for Japanese rice companies to grow Japonica rice overseas and import it back to Japan like any other resource. It is a mental block only in the minds of the consumers. Fix that and these issues can be overcome. Local production that is more expensive is still needed to give some level of food security to the nation, and so it can be purchased by the government for reserve stocks and used as needed.

Recent reports this year indicate that U.S.-sold rice has concerning levels of toxic heavy metals—specifically arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—not “additives” or artificial chemicals, but naturally occurring or pollutant contaminants. 

Why should Japan import unhealthy, toxic latent rice? Trump has no idea what is happening to the US food industry.

nishikat

Japanese people don't like clunky Pontiacs.

Considering that the Pontiac brand ceased to exist almost 14 years ago, it's understandable.

However, the few US brands that make vehicles with RHD suitable for the JDM such as Jeep, do fairly well. I expect to see plenty of Cadillacs soon, after they release RHD vehicles for the JDM. (I already see the occasional Caddy, despite LHD.)

And it looks like the Chinese EVs will win in Japan.

Someone is drinking too much baijiu. Japanese will not choose Chinese BEVs over J brand BEVs. And, they would certainly choose Korean brands over Chinese brands based on perception of quality, regardless if that perception is accurate or not. (Although, neither currently sell well in Japan.)

As for Chinese BEVs over US BEVs, I have seen exactly one BYD vs dozens of Teslas while driving here. I'm definitely no Tesla fan. But, they are clearly outselling Chinese BEVs, as of now. I have also seen many Mercedes and BMW BEVs vs that one single BYD.

If Japanese rice is truly the Rolls-Royce of grains, as its loyal fans claim, then why not throw open the floodgates and let the consumers decide? 

This isn’t just about rice. It’s about face. You can't have the Japanese choosing Cowboy rice over Koshihikari. The indignity! It’d be like Americans suddenly realizing Toyotas are more reliable than their beloved Chevrolets—unthinkable!

GaijinjlandToday  07:21 am JST

I would gladly pay 2,000 yen for 5 kilos of California rice.

Absolutely, so would many others.

More dementia symptoms...can't even remember Ishiba's name - at least he didn't call him Xi...

Multiple gaffes and mental meltdowns each day...way past time for the 25th Amendment...

But Joe was sharp as a tack apparently, lol.

Recent reports this year indicate that U.S.-sold rice has concerning levels of toxic heavy metals—specifically arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—not “additives” or artificial chemicals, but naturally occurring or pollutant contaminants. 

Ah, the classic ‘poisonous foreign rice’ gambit—how very convenient for the protectionist argument! Not additives, mind you, but naturally occurring heavy metals, as if Mother Nature herself took a break from picturesque sunsets to sprinkle arsenic into Uncle Sam’s rice paddies. How thoughtful of her.

kwattToday  08:04 am JST

I heard California cold rice is not good for sushi, sashimi, onigiri, etc. Japanese love cold rice. American cold rice is not good for Japanese but hot rice is okay.

Whoever told you that doesn't know what they're talking about. I've known just about every major Japanese run/owned restaurant in NYC some of which go back to the 1970s. They have no issues with California produced rice. Pernally ate California produced rice since the 1960s, with numerous trips to Japan to compare.

The Japanese domestic "preference" for domestically produced rice is nearly all hype. The Japanese rice producers push it, govt pushes it and TV stations push it so the population belives it. In truth, in most cases they wouldn't know the difference if served to them.

JDToday  09:31 am JST

If Japanese rice is as good as people here on JT say and people even say US rice is crap. why not remove tariff on rice and import crap and let consumers decide?

Exactly right.

Meet JD. The new troll on the block.

You don't like competition either?

All the Japanese people in Japan who ate at my home for 20+ years ate “Calrose” and never said a word.

They were just amazed that I could operate a rice cooker and use chopsticks well.

So, has Japan put a 25% tariff on US rice?

Japan does impose tariffs on imported rice, but the rate for American rice is 778% for over-quota imports. It’s quite steep—¥341 per kilogram (roughly 700% when calculated as an ad valorem equivalent) on rice imports that exceed Japan’s duty-free quota.

Japan strictly controls our domestic rice prices to keep farmers happy, meaning we, consumers in Japan, pay 3-4 times more for their ‘superior’ rice than the global market rate. So really, the joke’s on the Japanese.

There is no argument against this. It's not about the variety preference for your favorite grain. Japan is protectionist. Trump is right on this one.

Japan’s rice regime makes Fort Knox look like a charity food bank.

Anyone else think that Trump just bitches and moans too much?

vinniToday  09:47 am JST

Recent reports this year indicate that U.S.-sold rice has concerning levels of toxic heavy metals—specifically arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—not “additives” or artificial chemicals, but naturally occurring or pollutant contaminants. 

California rice has "low to moderately low" arsenic compared to Japanese produced rice becaue Japan has stricter regulations on the use of pesticides and monitoring.

However, the arsenic content of California rice, typically 0.03–0.12 mg/kg, is well below the Japanese government and  Codex Alimentarius safe limit of 0.2 mg/kg.

Cadmium, lead, mercury are both low in California and Japanese rice and not a concern.

All he is saying is put US rice on the shelf at a US price and let people decide. If they don’t like it, it won’t sell and stores will drop it,

Whats so wrong about that?

As for Chinese BEVs over US BEVs, I have seen exactly one BYD vs dozens of Teslas while driving here. I'm definitely no Tesla fan. But, they are clearly outselling Chinese BEVs, as of now. I have also seen many Mercedes and BMW BEVs vs that one single BYD.

The writing is on the wall. The technology is incredible. Two years ago they had an all-electric supercar that literally hopped on stage at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show in China. Chinese cars can be amphibious. You get hundreds of miles on a single charge in minutes.

We will only look back and reminisce.

There's nothing wrong with California Japonica rice. Some brands are better than others. Kokuho Rose is decent, but definitely not as good as J domestic rice. Nishiki brand is better than Kokuho, and almost as good. But, they are both the medium grain calrose variety of japonica, which is not as good as J domestic rice, at least to the Japanese palate.

Tamanishiki and Tamaki Gold, which are of the short grain koshihikari variant of japonica, the most popular variant in Japan, are just as good as J domestic. I'd love to see them in blind taste tests with J domestic rice. The only "rice expert" taste tests I've seen on TV with US vs J rice has been with calrose. And, they are always clearly labelled.

All he is saying is put US rice on the shelf at a US price and let people decide. If they don’t like it, it won’t sell and stores will drop it,

Whats so wrong about that?

Trump’s not wrong—he’s just about as subtle as a sumo wrestler in a china shop. If he really wanted to win this one, he’d wrap his demands in layers of polite fiction—‘Such magnificent Japanese rice! Truly peerless… now, about those tariffs…’ A little flattery goes further than a sledgehammer.

And Japan still put 700%-800% tariffs on crap rice from the USA.

That is a fake news. There is a fix levy (341yens kg) regardless of the initial price of rice once you go past the 770000 tons quota tax free (only 100000 is staple rice).

(if my math are not wrong) For US, it seems the average price (long grain) is 4,54USD thus 651yens thus 700% would be : 4557yens like 13 times higher that the real levy.

Actually the system seems to be made to give the market to US comparatively to other countries, since US rice is not so competitive thus will loose if you used a 50% tariff but a fix levy advantage US and them being already the strongest import partner for the quota, it is not worth (for importer) trying to open new import road. So Trump is barking at the wrong tree, Japan already tailored its system for you.

Also, Trump should update its Chat GPT. Japan is importing lot of US rice. The matter is selling it. I do not remember US considering Japaneses as normal consumers and thus trying to convince them of how good US rice is, but perhaps I missed the CM on TV, streaming... It is like US just want to use it is cheaper so buy it, regardless the fact it is making it look bad : you can just sell it out of the price ? How about thinking of Japanese market as a normal one and study it then produce relevant ad campain ?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/japan-private-sector-rice-imports-soar-in-may/ar-AA1HwqWt

https://www.globalproductprices.com/rankings/rice_prices/

Let's see if we have this right.

Trump says he will never back down on 27.5% tariffs on imported cars.

So, it doesn't matter if Japan buys more rice from the US.

There you have it.

Has anyone ever sat down and done a risk/benefit analysis of eating rice?

The discussion over the price of rice and the origin of the rice is moot.

BlacklabelToday  10:18 am JST

All he is saying is put US rice on the shelf at a US price and let people decide. If they don’t like it, it won’t sell and stores will drop it,

Whats so wrong about that?

Put Japanese cars on the shelf at Japanese prices and let people decide. If they don't like them, they won't sell and dealers will drop them.

What's wrong with that?

Has anyone ever sat down and done a risk/benefit analysis of eating rice?

The discussion over the price of rice and the origin of the rice is moot.

Turn all the rice fields into garlic farms is the answer. bwahaha.

All he is saying is put US rice on the shelf at a US price and let people decide. If they don’t like it, it won’t sell and stores will drop it,

Whats so wrong about that?

Contextually, intellectually and logistically, tariffs by Dear Mr. Maga ridiculing Dear Mr. Japan.

Well Dear Mr. Japan needs to open his markets for trade to Dear Mr. MAGA doesn’t he?

Rice is one thing, but as for Trump's comment about Japan not buying US cars, the reality is that few people anywhere outside the North American continent buy US cars. US makers have made little to no attempt to produce cars the rest of the world wants. There is only a limited overseas market for monstrous SUVs. America makes few of the compact, efficient cars preferred by Japan and Europe, does not want to make them in right hand drive, and still can't make cars anywhere near as re

Put Japanese cars on the shelf at Japanese prices and let people decide. If they don't like them, they won't sell and dealers will drop them.

What's wrong with that?

Japanese cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side, owner manuals and documentation is in Japanese and there are no repair parts.

Hit "post" by mistake. Meant to say that America still can't make cars as reliable as those from Japan.

US tax payers don't want to work to death to pay for the rest of the world anymore.

Nah, I think they are more than happy to do that. They have been funding Israel since the unfortunate day of its creation. So keep working and pay up gringo.

Japanese cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side, owner manuals and documentation is in Japanese and there are no repair parts.

Yes, there are no Japanese cars with steering on the left, English manuals, or repairers/ dealerships in the US. Lol

@garypen Tamaki Haiga is the premium rice we eat in our household. You pay more for it that's for sure.

Please don't bring inedible rice from US. There are other Asian countries producing rice. Rice in Indonesia and Thailand is good. Other food import should mainly be from Australia due to quality. Fruits in US don't have their original taste. I feel sorry for Americans who have never been out of country. They will never know how a peach, or a mango tastes like. Obviously, beef is the best in Australia.

Trump plans to use tariffs money from other countries to pay for tax so people who work, the last figure was $200K or less don't have to pay tax anymore. NO MORE TAX. This is AWESOME. US tax payers can keep more money in their pocket now. 

This is why he gets votes. There are people dumb enough to believe this will actually happen.

And MAGA still believes the exporting country pays for tariffs.

Would Japanese automakers even blink at a 25% tariff threat? Toyota, Honda, and Nissan assemble most of their cars sold in North America at U.S. factories. No tariffs would apply unless Trump goes extreme and puts tariffs on automobile parts, in which case Ford and GM are hardest hit.

As for rice, something will give way in Japan because it has to. One or two more years of skyrocketing rice prices will produce unwanted upheaval in Japanese politics and society. Selling off rice reserves was a temporary bandaid. It fails as a five-year economic policy. Does Japan import Calrose from the U.S.? Rice from some other country? Or the tools and infrastructure for industrial-scale rice farming?

The current rice policy is designed to protect farmers, who would be put out of business almost overnight if they had to compete on price with foreign rice. But the average age of farmers in Japan is creeping toward 70, and more land goes fallow every year. Either Japan starts importing heavy farm machinery and reconfigures fields and roads so that one farmer can farm the land that ten farmers currently work, or else Japanese rice production remains small and Japan imports rice.

He’s desperate for a deal isn’t he?

Guess what, most countries protect their farmers, except the US where Trump is throwing them under the bus. He doesn’t care about US rice farmers. He’s been a Japan hater for 30 years.

What’s wrong is that it would destroy Japanese farmers and trash rural economies across Japan. The cheaper rice would sell. This would produce dramatic political upheaval (as rural areas tend to give strong support to the LDP). The rural collapse would also hasten the movement of people into cities, hurt the birth rate further, and leave Japan heavily dependent on foreign countries for food security.

Free trade is not in the national interest. It never was for Japan. It never was for America. Japan would rather put money in the pockets of its own small-time farmers than boost the profits of some multi-million-dollar and multi-billion-dollar agricultural corporations in America. Thus, there is a ¥341/kg tariff on imported rice.

All he is saying is put US rice on the shelf at a US price and let people decide. If they don’t like it, it won’t sell and stores will drop it, 

Whats so wrong about that?

USA produces crap. Motorbikes useless Cars useless. Rice 700,000 ton of crap cal rose imported in Japan per years goes to stock feed. 

Only because early on the Japanese government would not sell it to humans. They were under pressure to buy it but didn't want the Japanese people to find out how good it is.

The reality is that Cal-Rose is premium Japonica rice, some of the best in the world and grown with fewer herbicides and pesticides than rices grown elsewhere. It was bred in California to grow in a dry temperate climate using minimal water. Try some. One of the best medium grain rices grown anywhere in the world.

JD: No wrong; The 770,000 tons of cal rose rice imported from the USA are Tariff free.

Calrose rice imports to Japan are tariff-free up to a certain volume under Japan's WTO minimum access commitment. Japan imports a specific amount of rice tariff-free annually, and imports exceeding that quota are subject to tariffs. Specifically, Japan imports 770,000 tons of rice tariff-free from the USA each year under its WTO minimum access commitment. A significant portion of this, up to 100,000 tons, is designated for human consumption. Imports exceeding this quota face a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram. 

If you believe what come out of Trump lying mouth compare to what a bit of research on the WTO web site you admitting to have nothing between your ears.

The 100,000 ton is only taken up by Aeon because they have a licence to mix 10% into local produce rice. The 670,000 ton goes straight to stock feed.

Either Japan starts importing heavy farm machinery and reconfigures fields and roads so that one farmer can farm the land that ten farmers currently work, or else Japanese rice production remains small and Japan imports rice.

California, as in so many other ways, shows the way forward, in this case with rice agrigulture. Laser leveled fields. Fields flooded to no more than 20 cm of water. Rice seeded by aircraft so the plants are super dense. Having the rice plants close together shades the ground and inhibits weed growth so the use of herbicides after initial planting is unnecessary. When the rice is mature the fields are drained and the rice harvested mechanically. Very little manpower is necessary. Off season the fields do double duty as recharge basins to recharge aquifers after heavy storms and also become estuaries for migratory birds.

The tariff-free 770,000 tons of rice includes rice from several countries, but the largest share is from the US, 350,000 tons.

None of that rice normally reaches the store shelves for consumers. It goes into storage and is then sold on for animal feed.

Japan auto makers will not stay in the USA if a 25% tariff is imposed. They prepare to cut and run then to except the tariff deal. This is why Japan will not agree. This will have a severe knock on effect to the USA ecomony that will see mass lay off effecting Pension funds to Ports to USA Tax revenue. do your research and you will be very surprised how much Japan auto maker support the USA economy. Hold your ground Japan you hold all the cards.,

*Recent reports this year indicate that U.S.-sold rice has concerning levels of toxic heavy metals—specifically arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—not “additives” or artificial chemicals, but naturally occurring or pollutant contaminants. *

Rice from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, predominantly long grain "Texmati" rice, is most often grown on land formerly planted in cotton and that is highly contaminated with pesticides and herbicides. Since cotton is not eaten there was no concern about ingesting these chemicals but those legacy chemicals get into the rice grown there today. California rice is grown on clean land with minimal use of herbicides and pesticides and has some of the lowest levels of herbicides and pesticides of any rice grown.

Japan auto makers will not stay in the USA if a 25% tariff is imposed.

Why do you say that? Most Toyota and Honda models manufactured in the US have a higher US domestic content than products from notionally "American" auto manufacturers. For years Toyota Avalons and Camrys had the highest domestic content of any cars sold in the US. Their competitors GM, Ford and Stellantis are more affected by tariffs.

I think it’s understandable Japan doesn’t want over priced rice that doesn’t taste good.

Desert: and where did they get this know how ? all the above methods is decades old methods copy off Australian rice farmers

Desert: and where did they get this know how ? all the above methods is decades old methods copy off Australian rice farmers

Lol

Trump singled out Japan as one of the possible countries set to receive a letter. “Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story: You’re going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars,” he said.

Dear Mr. America, Americans are the end buyers of cars in America, and it is your American people who will be paying for your tariffs on imported cars. Enjoy paying more taxes to your government for your purchase, and enjoy watching trump hand back your extra taxes to the rich American billionaires.

Considering that the Pontiac

OK, sorry...Buick

As for Chinese BEVs over US BEVs, I have seen exactly one BYD vs dozens of Teslas

They just started...Just watch. BYD is No. 1 in Thailand (now) and Tesla is dead last. Soon Japan (Tesla being last, not sure about No. 1) Bye Bye Tesla. The future Enron of autos. Europeans hate Tesla now (more specifically the Chairman)

Trump said on social media ....

Probably best to stop reading there to be honest. This is not US trade policy or anything Donald Trump can achieve on his own. Its just some thoughts off the top of his not-very-informed head. They may change tomorrow.

Whatever happened to the Trump iPhones? Hilarious

wonder if the MAGA types here (you know who you are) have put in their orders with Don Jr.?

gold plated and only 1,500 dollars a pop.

Japanese immigration to California sped up following the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Many worked as farm laborers who eventually saved enough to purchase farm land. It is no accident that the California rice I most often buy is Tamaki Farms.

I know nothing about patterns of migration from East Asia to Australia.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday complained that Japan is not importing enough American rice,

How much is enough?

The trade imbalance is due to the US buying a lot more from Japan than Japan buys from the US.

Not right to force anyone to buy things they don't want.

US should buy less if they really want " balanced trade"

Yep, and they should stop playing the victim.

it’s embarrassing

Because Japan has plenty of BACKUP RICE.

Someone could explain this to Trump, but I'm not sure he's listen.

Umm...if 5kg of rice is selling for 4,000 yen a pop, that does not suggest a massive surplus.

This reminds me of every time I have bought a TV in Japan: most TVs, if not all, are Japanese made and can be quite expensive. If big business gets together and allows the populace to only buy Japanese TVs they can jack the prices as high as they want.

Regarding the comment about the farmers being screwed if we import rice: The real enemy here are the Japanese agencies and what they strictly regulate in terms of farming and agriculture. The farmers are screwed regardless of who is pulling the strings. Even domestic production of seeds is regulated through Japanese agencies as their goal is to CONTROL THE FOOD.

Lastly, there are so many things to harp on, like wages not increasing, falling birthrate, etc., but one big issue at the heart of this is that Japan just doesn't have a lot that the world is interested in other than cars or anime.