Japan and Australia are approaching a deal as early as next month to lower the tariff on imports of frozen beef from Australia, according to a report by the Japan Times.
The two are negotiating a free-trade agreement under which the tariff would be reduced to 30 percent from 38.5 percent, athough Australia has sought elimination of the tariff altogether, the newspaper reported.
Also on the table is a trigger that would return to 38.5 percent the tariff should imports of Australian beef exceed a certain level, trade officials told the Times.
The former also wants Japan to reduce tariffs for some refrigerated beef products, according to the newspaper.
