ARLINGTON, Va. — Joel G. Newman, president and chief executive officer of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), issued a statement addressing President Donald Trump’s announcement of intent to ratify a US-Japan free trade deal in a matter of weeks.

“AFIA is pleased the administration has reached an initial trade agreement on tariff barriers with Japan and intends to enter into the agreement in the coming weeks,” Newman stated. “We are hopeful this agreement will show progress in bringing the US animal food industry closer to the level of tariff treatment Japan affords our competitors in the recently implemented Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. We are eager to review the final text and for further developments in subsequent bilateral negotiations with Japan.”

With Japan being the third-largest feed, feed ingredient and pet food product export market for the US, amounting to about $986 million in 2018, the trade agreement is expected to provide more access for US producers, AFIA said.

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