U.S.-Japan Beef Updated Trade Agreement Formalized and Signed

The U.S. and Japan have formalized and signed a new beef trade agreement, a positive result for the U.S. beef industry. The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) amends the beef safeguard trigger level to a new, three-trigger safeguard mechanism. Finalized in March 2022, the agreement was formally signed this week.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says the agreement ensures American farmers and ranchers continue to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality U.S. beef. Moving forward, three criteria must be met for Japan to implement the safeguard of a temporary, higher tariff on U.S. beef. They are:

1. Imports from the U.S. must exceed the original beef safeguard trigger level
2. The volume of beef imports from the U.S. must exceed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
3. Imports must exceed the total amount of beef imports from the U.S. during the previous year, in effect through 2027.

Read more on the USJPTA and benefits for the beef industry here.