Deeper analysis on potential Pacific trade pact: Japan

The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) sets forth each nation’s tariff commitments. It is argued by many in agriculture that TPP is a good deal and needs all of our support. Others are more critical. The annex sections dealing with Japan appear to be fodder for those who have concern about the fairness of TPP regarding the United States. The section on rice, for example, does not appear to be great.  While Canada has four chapters regarding tariff eliminations and tariff rate quotas and Chile has two, there are eight such chapters related to Japan. Among the eight chapters is Japan’s listing of its tariff schedule that numbers 1,133 pages. (HUGE!) The level of detail is mind boggling. It can be read from the Japanese schedule there are certain areas where it imposes substantial tariffs on the product. Certain meats presently have a 50% base rate tariff and in year 1 of the agreement, if ratified, the tariff on Cheek meat and head meat would drop from 50% to 39% and tariffs on such products would last not for 20 years. Even after 20 years a 9% tariff would apply to the product.