Oklahoma agriculture wins in Japan Trade Agreement

Oct 11, 2019
Frankly Speaking

Amid the constant buzz of partisan politics in Washington, D.C. surrounding impeachment talk, the government’s role in an individual’s health care system, and the continued fight to address the immigration crisis at the Southern Border, there is one thing lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are praising- the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.

As a cattle rancher and wheat farmer by trade, I know just how important this announcement is for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers. Our state’s producers rise day-in-and-day-out tilling the land producing goods that feed and clothe families across the globe.

Under the newly signed agreement, Japan will eliminate or reduce tariffs on $7.2 billion agricultural goods shipped from the shores of the United States. A huge win for America’s farmers, Japan is our third largest agricultural export market and accounted for $14.1 billion in agricultural exports in 2018.

For Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers, the news couldn’t come at a better time. Committed to providing substantial market access, Japan will decrease $2.9 billion worth of beef and pork tariffs and will provide preferential access to nine products- including wheat and grain sorghum. For Oklahomans, who have a long history of serving as global producers, this announcement is a promise of an equal playing field. And as Japan’s appetite continues to grow, our ranchers and farmers- who recently boasted $4.2 billion worth of cattle and pork products and $3.6 million worth of wheat- will continue to reap the benefits of the agreement.

As lawmakers, agriculture groups, and producers across the state celebrate this positive step for agriculture and rural America, we must not forget the importance of gaining further market access in other global markets. Our state’s farms and ranches produce some of the highest-quality products in the nation and ensuring the best market value for those products will only ensure our state’s family farms will continue to operate for generations to come.

Recent Posts


Sep 24, 2024
Economy

Gensler and Peirce Disagree on Treasury Clearing Implementation

Washington, DC – Today, at a Financial Services hearing entitled Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congressman Lucas, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce discussed the need to extend Treasury clearing timelines. While Chair Gensler did not say, Commissioner Peirce agreed with Congressman Lucas that there is a need to extend these […]



Sep 23, 2024
Press

Lucas, Mullin Welcome $5.5 Million Investment to OSU to Enhance Weather Prediction

Cheyenne, OK – The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded Oklahoma State University (OSU) $5.5 million as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The purpose of these funds is to increase knowledge about local weather systems in the lower atmosphere, enabling the safe integration of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced […]



Sep 18, 2024
Press

Lucas Honors NASA’s Hidden Figures at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

Washington, DC – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas attended a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, where he had the opportunity to honor the Hidden Figures, a group of women crucial to the space race. These women helped calculate the Apollo 11 mission to land the first astronaut on the moon. Medals […]