Japan is mulling applying the same beef tariff rates to all 11 other negotiating member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, including the United States, sources familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday.

Tokyo had considered allowing lower tariffs only for beef imports from the United States, the biggest economy in the proposed TPP framework. It has decided against such preferential treatment as other major beef exporting countries such as Australia and Canada are unlikely to accept unequal terms, the sources said.

Under the tariff-cutting TPP, the United States has strongly urged Japan to abolish duties on beef. Tokyo has rejected completely eliminating beef tariffs but will likely drastically cut them.