This week, a new trade agreement was formed between the U.S. and Japan, and on X, President Donald Trump promised that "Japan will open their Country to Trade, including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things."
Subsequently, U.S. blueberry growers, shippers, and processors await details of the agreement on reciprocal trade. "We are hopeful that the agreement includes the elimination of Japan's tariff on frozen blueberries - one of the blueberry industry's top trade priorities," says Alyssa Houtby, director of government affairs with the North American Blueberry Council.
As Houtby points out, Japan is the third-largest export market for U.S. frozen blueberries. "Currently, Japan imposes a 6 percent tariff on frozen unsweetened blueberries and a 9.6 percent tariff on sweetened frozen blueberries. In contrast, Canada enjoys duty-free access under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)."
She says since CPTPP took effect in 2020, U.S. blueberry exports to Japan have dropped by 42 percent. "Japanese importers consistently cite price as the key reason they turn to non-U.S. suppliers. Achieving tariff parity would be a critical step toward restoring U.S. competitiveness in this important market," says Houtby.
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History of advocacy
It's a point of contention that the blueberry industry and its allies have advocated for for some time now, since the 2019 U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) eliminated tariffs on fresh and dried blueberries but left tariffs on frozen blueberries in place. "Since then, the NABC has continued to advocate for a USJTA amendment to address this gap," says Houtby. "In 2023, more than 30 members of Congress - led by Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and David Valadao (CA-22) - sent a letter urging USTR to work with Japanese counterparts to eliminate these harmful tariffs and level the playing field for U.S. growers."
Earlier this year, the NABC Board of Directors also met with senior officials at the White House and USTR to highlight key industry priorities, with the Japan tariff on frozen blueberries being a major focus of the conversation.
"We are optimistic that President Trump, along with Ambassador Greer and Assistant USTR Julie Callahan, has secured an agreement that addresses this long-standing barrier," says Houtby. "If so, it will mark a significant win for the U.S. blueberry industry and a vital boost for our growers' access to the Japanese market."
For more information:
Gabriella Gebhardt
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
[email protected]
https://ushbc.blueberry.org/