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Japan to raise tariffs on US beef imports to 50%

Japan says it plans to raise tariffs on imports of frozen beef from the United States and other countries from next month.

Japan says it plans to raise tariffs on imports of frozen beef from the United States and other countries from next month.

The Japanese government said the move was an emergency measure meant to address the recent surge in shipments into the country.

Tariffs would be raised to 50 percent from the current 38.5 percent on frozen beef from the US, Canada and New Zealand until March next year, according to a statement by the finance ministry.

The move came in line with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which allow a rise in tariffs when the volume of imports grows more than 17 percent on year on a quarterly basis.

This came as US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to pursue an "America First" trade policy, has urged Japan to increase agricultural imports from the US.

"This measure is automatically imposed," Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters, according to public broadcaster NHK.

"We'll explain (it) to the US during Japan-US economic dialogue and other occasions," he was quoted as saying in a report that was also covered by AFP.

Farm minister Yuji Yamamoto also said he hopes to "explain to the US carefully."

Meanwhile, the head of the US Meat Export Federation said in a statement on its website that the move would have "negative implications for US beef producers."

"(It) will also have a significant impact on the Japanese food service industry," AFP quoted Philip Seng, the Federation’s president and CEO, as saying.

"It will be especially difficult for the gyudon beef bowl restaurants," he said, referring to a popular Japanese beef-on-rice dish.

Frozen beef from Australia is exempt because of its free trade agreement with Japan, AFP added.


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