News

USA Rice wants rice included in US/Japan deal

The chairman of USA Rice says they’re disappointed that rice wasn’t included in recent trade discussions between the U.S. and Japan.

Charley Mathews, Junior says they remain committed to working with the U.S. government to realized improved rice trade.

He says U.S. rice growers are faced with a 700-percent tariff on rice going into Japan “which translates to a lack of consumer access.”

Mathews says while Japan imports more than $200-Million of U.S. rice, much of it does NOT reach Japanese consumers because of Japan’s import policies and anticompetitive practices.

Bobby Hanks, chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee, says rice is one of the most manipulated and protected commodities around the world, with Japan being no exception.

The U.S. and Japan recently reached a deal, in principle, on agriculture, autos and digital trade.