Japanese farmers protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Tokyo. Their banner reads: ‘We absolutely oppose Japan’s participation to TPP.’
Farmers in the US are pushing for Japan to join the 11-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership as a way to gain access to the world’s third-largest economy as automakers seek to exclude the Asian nation until it opens its markets.
The US and Japan on April 12 announced an agreement on several longstanding trade issues, paving the way for Japan to join the TPP discussions, which US officials have said they want to complete by the end of the year.
US automakers, in contrast, want to hit the pause button on the negotiations with Japan.
Japan’s inclusion in the talks also is backed by groups including the National Milk Producers Federation, US Dairy Export Council, National Potato Council and Cargill Inc. of Minneapolis.