U.S. Corn Growers Seek to Secure Market Access to Japan

November 29, 2018

Chicago--A group of U.S. corn growers has sent a letter to Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer seeking to secure a market access to Japan through bilateral trade talks starting in January at the earliest.

"Corn farmers have long counted on Japan as a leading export market and have spent decades developing this important partnership," National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Chrisp wrote in the letter dated Monday.

Noting that U.S. corn currently enjoys excellent market access and demand from Japan, Chrisp said the association's top priorities for the upcoming trade negotiations are to secure this market access amid intensifying competition from other corn suppliers.

Japan is the second largest market for U.S. corn exports.

The association "views trade negotiations with Japan as a critical step toward strengthening U.S. economic presence in the Asia-Pacific region," Chrisp said.

Also in the letter, the association head sought to improve market access for corn co-products and to address technical, sanitary and other non-tariff barriers to trade between Japan and the United States. Jiji Press