Moran praises U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement with benefits for Kansas ranchers, farmers

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Oct. 8 applauded the president’s signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement after negotiations were finalized last month covering roughly $55 billion in trade.

“The trade agreement between the United States and Japan is a win for Kansas farmers and ranchers,” Sen. Moran said on Tuesday, calling it a “much-needed victory for our producers.”

President Donald Trump’s Oct. 4 signing of the trade agreement follows an agreement in principle he reached in August with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and then finalized on Sept. 25, according to a statement released by Sen. Moran’s office.

The final agreement, which is part of larger, ongoing negotiations between the two countries that span a range of various industries and products, reduces tariffs on myriad agricultural and food products, as well as digital goods and software, according to the statement.

“It will also benefit Kansas dairy producers by expanding cheese exports, and will eliminate tariffs on certain types of ethanol,” said Sen. Moran.

The lawmaker pointed out that Japan is the second-largest export market for agricultural products from Kansas and he said the “agreement will result in even greater market access for beef, wheat, sorghum and pork, and put American producers on a level playing field with our foreign competitors.”

“As farmers and ranchers continue to struggle with low commodity prices,” the senator added, “we must continue to find new export opportunities for the food, fuel and fiber produced in Kansas.”