Our Pressure on Japan Has Paid Off

I have always said that the ban on U.S. beef was unfounded and inconsistent and that we needed to pressure Japan to reopen its market to American beef. Last month Senator Pat Roberts joined me in introducing bipartisan legislation designed to pressure Japan to lift its ban.  Our bill would have required the Treasury Secretary to impose tariffs on Japanese products unless Japan re-opened its market to U.S.-produced beef by August 31.

We vowed to keep up the pressure until American ranchers had access to Japan’s market again. The pressure we applied has paid off. America’s beef is among the safest in the world, a fact that has again been reinforced today by Japan’s announcement.  This is a victory for our beef producers, and it shows that the United States can win trade disputes if we’re willing to fight.