WASHINGTON – (March 11, 2026) – The National Potato Council today welcomed a bipartisan, bicameral letter sent to President Trump by 68 members of Congress, urging the Administration to prioritize opening Japan’s market to U.S. fresh table stock potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s visit to the United States.
The letter, led by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), notes that gaining fresh potato access to Japan would result in an estimated $150 million in new annual U.S. exports. This move would establish Japan as the largest export market for U.S. fresh potatoes outside of North America, providing a significant boost to U.S. farming communities.
Despite the U.S. first requesting access more than 30 years ago, Japan continues to delay substantive technical discussions. “U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world,” wrote the group. “Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers. 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.”
According to a 2024 study released by NPC, approximately 20% of U.S.-grown potatoes are exported, contributing $4.8 billion to the American economy and supporting 34,000 domestic jobs.
“U.S. family farmers are facing an economic crisis fueled by low market prices and high input costs,” said Brett Jensen, NPC Vice President of Trade Affairs and a potato grower from Idaho Falls, Idaho. “I want to thank Senator Crapo for his leadership in urging the Trump Administration to apply political pressure to Japan to finally end more than 30 years of delays.”
“Opening this market would provide an immediate boost to the family farms in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation,” said Greg Harris, NPC Vice President of Finance and potato grower from Boardman, Oregon. “We appreciate Senator Wyden’s dedication to breaking down these long-standing trade barriers. This bipartisan effort sends a clear message that the U.S. expects Japan to honor its trade commitments and provide a level playing field for our producers.”
The NPC Board of Directors recently passed a resolution during its 2026 Washington Summit, urging the Trump Administration to address the topic, stating that:
“The National Potato Council encourages the Trump Administration to move forward aggressively in securing Japanese market access for U.S. fresh table stock potatoes in 2026, including President Trump speaking directly about the issue with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Takaichi during any upcoming meetings and showcasing high quality U.S. fresh potatoes on the menu for any formal meals between the two leaders.”
Joining Senators Crapo and Wyden on the letter were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
The effort was also supported by Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Tony Wied (R-Wis.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jeff Crank (R-Colo.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Michelle Fischbach (D-Minn.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), John James (R-Mich.), Brad Finstad (D-Minn.), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.).
The full letter is available here.
