Gianforte: new trade deal with Japan a "major win" for Montana

Statement

Congressman Greg Gianforte praised the announced bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan as a "major win" for Montana.

"The new trade deal with Japan is a major win for Montana farmers and ranchers," Gianforte said. "The deal President Trump struck with Japan ensures Montana's high-quality ag products have access to that critical market."

The deal reduces Japanese tariffs on beef, eliminates Japanese tariffs on grain sorghum, creates country-specific quotas that benefit Montana wheat, and reduces Japan's "mark up" on wheat.

As the Trump administration negotiated with Japan, Gianforte lobbied U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to protect and advance Montana wheat in any deal. Gianforte successfully secured favorable market access for Montana wheat in the announced trade deal.

"I proudly stood with and advocated for Montana's wheat growers, and I appreciate the administration including in the agreement my request to secure equitable market access for Montana wheat," Gianforte said.

Key Montana stakeholders also welcomed the new trade deal with Japan.

Lyle Benjamin, president of the Montana Grain Growers Association: "We welcome the agreement in principle that will provide export market certainty in the crucial Japanese market for premium quality U.S. wheat. This is a key development for Montana farmers who sell a majority of their wheat into the Asian markets."

Fred Wacker, president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association: "Japan is the number-one export market for U.S. beef and accounts for one quarter of our exports. MSGA consistently advocates for agreements, like the United States-Japan Trade Agreement, which remove trade barriers and give our ranchers access to more markets."

Nicole Rolf, director of national affairs with the Montana Farm Bureau Federation: "Montana's farmers and ranchers are pleased to hear that the U.S. and Japan have come to an agreement on trade. Reducing tariff barriers for important Montana agriculture products, such as beef and wheat, as well as others, will be a huge win for farmers and ranchers here, and nationwide. With Japan already being our number-four trading partner and hungry for the high-quality products we raise, we look forward to this opportunity for increased market access. Likewise, we hope that this is a step toward finding even more new markets. We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Gianforte and others who have continuously advocated for new and expanded markets for Montana agriculture products."

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