Senators Urge President to Prioritize US Potato Market Access in Japan

Senate Finance Committee

Published March 11th, 2026

Detected March 12th, 2026

Summary

US Senators have urged President Trump to prioritize opening the Japanese market for U.S. potatoes during the Japanese Prime Minister's visit. This action could result in an estimated $150 million annually in new American exports for the U.S. potato industry.

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What changed

A group of U.S. Senators, led by Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, have sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he prioritize the opening of the Japanese market to U.S. fresh potatoes. The letter highlights that Japan's current restrictions prevent an estimated $150 million in annual U.S. potato exports, which would significantly benefit American farming communities facing economic challenges. The Senators emphasize the critical role of international trade for the U.S. potato industry and the substantial export opportunities Japan represents.

This action is a call for diplomatic engagement to remove a long-standing trade barrier. While the document does not impose new regulatory requirements or deadlines on businesses, it signals a potential shift in trade policy that could lead to increased export opportunities for U.S. potato growers. Compliance officers in the agricultural sector, particularly those involved in exporting, should monitor developments related to U.S.-Japan trade negotiations concerning agricultural products. No immediate compliance actions are required, but awareness of this advocacy effort is recommended.

What to do next

Monitor U.S.-Japan trade negotiations regarding agricultural market access.
Assess potential export opportunities for potato products if Japanese market access is secured.

Source document (simplified)

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Chairman's News March 11,2026 # Crapo, Wyden, Colleagues Call on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led House and Senate colleagues in asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s upcoming visit to the United States. Ending Japan’s restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes would result in an estimated $150 million a year in new American exports, benefitting farming communities in states across the country.

“U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry,” wrote the legislators.

“With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector, and specialty crops more broadly, are facing a major economic crisis. Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers,” continued the legislators. “Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country.”

Senators Crapo and Wyden have long pushed to lower this trade barrier. In Idaho, the potato industry accounts for roughly a third of all U.S. production and supports more than 28,000 jobs.

The letter was joined by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin), Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon), Julie Fedorchak (R-North Dakota), Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), Jack Bergman (R-Michigan), Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jeff Crank (R-Colorado), Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin), Marilyn Strickland (D-Washington), Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon), Gabe Evans (R-Colorado), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania), Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington), Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin), Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska), Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania), Kim Schrier (D-Washington), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), Rick Larsen (D-Washington), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minnesota), Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), Jason Crow (D-Colorado), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Adam Smith (D-Washington), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Hillary Scholten (D-Michigan), John James (R-Michigan), Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota), Janelle Bynum (D-Oregon), Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado).

Read the full letter HERE.