Minnesota Farm Bureau officials are applauding a trade agreement announced by the U-S and Japan, which they say further opens agricultural markets for both nations. Farm Bureau’s Amber Hanson Glaeser says, “The markets we lost to China, this won’t replace by any means, but I think it will help to expand for those commodities here in Minnesota that currently trade with Japan.” That nation is Minnesota’s fourth-largest trading partner — number one in pork and beef, number two in wheat and corn.
Hanson Glaeser says they hope the U-S signing a deal with Japan will prompt China to return to the bargaining table, and also speed up approval of a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.