However, we wish to reassure US exporters that they are better off under the revised approach. For example, the United States was imposing access restrictions on the import of peanuts, but then the US tariffed peanuts. In this case, Japan believes that both sides will be better off by ensuring minimum access, yet allowing for open-ended exports. All tariffs are subject to the Agricultural Agreement. Tariffs are calculated to 351.17 yen per kilogram in 1999 and 341 yen per kilogram in 2000 by using wholesale price and CIF price from 1986 to 1988 on the base of the Agriculture Agreement.
Many growers feel that the tariffs are too high.
The tariff will be reduced year by year. In the next Round of trade talks that will start in 2000, the rate of reduction will be discussed and agreed upon by all negotiating countries. The only possible risk for US growers would be a reduction in the speed of minimum access increases. In numerical terms, Japan was committed to the importation of 681,000 metric ton of brown rice in 1998. Japan is also committed to the importation of 724,000 metric tons of rice in 1999 and 767,000 metric tons in 2000.