Press Releases

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined House and Senate colleagues in a letter asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s upcoming visit to the United States. 

“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.   

About 20 percent of American-grown potatoes are exported around the world, contributing nearly $4.8 billion in economic growth and supporting nearly 34,000 jobs in 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.  

“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.” 

Read the full letter here.