Japanese trade data have confirmed that the country will impose a higher tariff on imports of U.S. beef for 30 days.
Japan's Ministry of Finance said the tariff will be raised to 38.5% from a current 25.8% for 30 days starting March 18; for scraps, the tariff will rise to 38.5% from a current 34.7%.
The U.S. shipped 242,229 metric tons of beef in Japan's fiscal 2020, exceeding the 242,000-metric ton quota agreed to in the U.S.-Japan trade deal.
The two governments will now hold talks on the situation within the next 10 days. The tariff will drop to 25% April 17, the level for Japan's fiscal 2021.
Beef importers could delay their customs processes until then to avoid paying the higher tariffs, according to an official with the Japanese ministry.