Commerce's Ross Lashes Out At Japan for Beef Duties

Sharp criticism of Japan for their auto trade surplus with the U.S. and steep tariffs on imports of U.S. beef was delivered today by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. "Japan and other Asian countries routinely espouse free trade rhetoric but actually are far more protectionist than the U.S.," Ross told the U.S.-Japan Council."In the case of Japan there are some high tariffs, such as the 50% present tariff on U.S. beef versus 22.5% on Australian beef." Plus he chided Japan and others for non-tariff barriers on autos like varying standards, inspection systems and tightly held distribution channels.