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U.S. and Japan Still Deadlocked on Beef

Negotiations between the U.S. and Japan failed to produce a breakthrough on Thursday and Friday on the topic of Japan's restrictions on U.S. beef.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and his counterpart, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, remain at an impasse after speaking by phone for two days. Neither side has backed down on their positions, but the countries have agreed to continue the discussion, according Kyodo News.

"We've been more than willing to work with Japan," Keith Williams told Meatingplace.com, "but there's a point at which we need to see a way forward. We're looking for some kind of signal from Japan as to what the pathway is, some sense that these trade decisions would be based on science and on OIE standards - it's the case we make to every trading partner."