Bring down the walls

The U.S. is pressing Japan to accept more U.S. agricultural exports, this time he isn't kidding.
From the VOA:

The American ambassador to Japan said if Japan does not open its markets, then "we will just put our resources in other places." Ambassador Thomas Schieffer gave that warning in a speech Wednesday to business leaders in Tokyo.
Food prices in Japan are among the highest in the world as a result of efforts to protect Japanese farmers. Japan imports more than half of its food. But it places high customs and other restrictions on many products, especially rice, fruit and beef.

TK: Though electoral reform in 1994 made Japan somewhat more consumer focused, the farm lobby is still powerful. Total U.S. ag exports to Japan were $7.9 billion in 2005, down significantly from $8.9 billion in 2001. U.S. fruit exports in 2005 were just $305 million, down from $364 million in 2001. Meanwhile Toyota is on track to become the number two car maker in the U.S. What's wrong with this picture?


In South Korea, negotiators there are trying to keep fruits and vegetables out of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement by conceding market openings on some types of rice products.
From the story:

An Agriculture Ministry official said on condition of anonymity, "There are some kinds of rice commodities whose opening would not have a significant effect on the local market...Is it possible to make a compromise in some parts to keep other sensitive areas such as fruits and vegetables out of negotiation?"


TK: Memo to U.S. negotiators: Don't bring back a free trade agreement with South Korea that doesn't include fruits and vegetables.