Seventeen agricultural groups have informed the administration that they will oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement if it includes Japan but Japan does not agree to comprehensive trade liberalization, including elimination of tariffs on virtually all U.S. agricultural products. 

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the group said, “In previous negotiations, the United States had demanded and received from developing country trading partners full and comprehensive liberalization in the agricultural sector.  Yet in the TPP negotiations, Japan - a rich, developed country - is demanding special treatment for its agricultural sector.  We consider an agreement that includes such special treatment for Japan to be unacceptable. Giving Japan 'special treatment' would establish a terrible precedence and other countries would seek the same." 

The group said this would also affect future trade agreements, including the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that is being negotiated between the U.S. and the European Union.  Those signing the letter included the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Meat Institute, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Association, and U.S. Rice Federation.

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