Japan is set to impose emergency restrictions on three Chinese agricultural products, imports of which have risen markedly in recent years: leeks, shiitake mushrooms and rushes for tatami matting. It is the first time Japan has decided to invoke "safeguards," temporary import curbs recognized by the World Trade Organization. These measures, to take effect on April 23, will raise the tariffs on these items sharply when their imports exceed given limits.
The safeguards will be effective for 200 days, during which time the government will negotiate with Beijing for China to limit exports voluntarily. At the same time, Japan will take steps to make domestic farmers more competitive. It may be difficult, however, to secure Chinese agreement on voluntary export restraint. There is, indeed, a possibility that China might take retaliatory steps.
The safeguards have been used in the past by other countries, but only as an exception to the rule of fair trade. Chinese opposition is to be expected because such import restrictions, however legitimate, constitute a temporary suspension of rational economic forces.