For example, frozen french fried potatoes are the leading processed potato export from the U.S. Tariff liberalization would provide the U.S. processed potato industry and U.S. potato growers new opportunities for growth. Finally, pet food is an area of great interest to our members. U.S. pet food exports to APEC countries represent two thirds of total U.S. exports. Commercially prepared pet food is a high value, value-added agricultural product, and our members are the most competitive in the pet food industry. Without a concerted effort at liberalization of tariff and nontariff barriers, our members will continue to face substantial impediments to trade in Asia.
Many sensitive items have high tariffs, such as basic and processed dairy products.
There are extensive regulatory and technical impediments to food sector trade. These include product, health, quarantine and labeling standards, and inspection requirements. Taiwan also maintains unreasonable quarantine restrictions on fresh and frozen chicken, certain cuts of pork, peanuts, live dairy cattle vaccinated against brucellosis, and adzuki beans. China's restrictions on imports of citrus and pacific Northwest wheat are not based on sound science, and USTR has been actively pursuing these issues. Japan continues to restrict entry of numerous U.S. fresh fruits and vegetables, for phytosanitary reasons.