The tariff would affect only exporters from countries, including the United States, which do not have free trade agreements with Japan currently in force.
U.S. exports that could be affected include fruits, vegetables, grains, pasta, chocolates, baked goods, prepared food, jewelry, liquor, wine and furniture.
Canada announced plans to impose tariffs on a list of U.S. products in retaliation for the COOL (country-of-origin labeling) requirement for meat products.
The United States claims that China violated international trade rules when it imposed tariffs on about $1 billion of U.S. chicken exports. In a complaint filed with the World Trade Organization, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says the tariffs threaten 300,000 jobs in the U.S. poultry industry.
