For too long, Japan has been dragging its feet as it ignores the steps the U.S. has made to ensure a safe beef supply and shows a disregard for our prior trade pacts.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Japan's inexplicable lack of response to even consider a move to re-open their market to U.S. beef will sorely tempt economic trade action against Japan.
For decades, Japan has been a friend and reliable trading partner with the United States, and I anticipate that relationship will prosper.
Japan is dealing us a dead hand. For two years we have watched the Japanese drag their feet and we can't let them continue to slam the door in our faces.
We remain very confident in the safety of U.S. beef.
We had Taiwan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Oman open their markets to our beef, and we're excited about that.
It makes sense for Japan to pursue a more independent role in the world, following Latin America and others in freeing itself from U.S. domination.
Alabama farmers want a chance to complete fairly in Japan, but they can't if the Japanese won't let us in.
So we are now still dependent on foreign oil, have a problem with global warming, and are losing jobs rapidly to the Japanese in fuel-efficient vehicles as a result of that very shortsighted progress.
Japan is a bully nation that takes what it wants and threatens any who oppose it.
The weekend brought good news for our friends in the cattle industry. At long last, Japan has taken the steps needed for American beef to make its way back into the Japanese market.