Japanese tea farmers face trouble as President Trump threatens new taxes on their matcha exports. American customers buy nearly half of all Japanese green tea sold overseas. The popular powder brings farmers record sales worth 259 million dollars last year. Kokaen tea farm owner Yoshitaka Noba worries the extra costs will hurt his business badly. His family has grown tea plants for three generations around Toyota factories.
Matcha demand exploded during the pandemic when people wanted healthy drinks. Americans discovered the green powder tastes great and packs vitamins. Production cannot keep up because farmers need expensive machines to make quality matcha. Converting regular tea farms costs hundreds of millions of yen. Many growers hesitate because they cannot tell if matcha stays popular forever.
Trump wants Americans to pay 10 percent extra for most foreign goods. Japan sends officials to Washington trying to avoid these trade penalties. Tea currently enters America without any import fees. The president calls his plan reciprocal tariffs against countries that sell more than they buy. Economic experts worry these taxes will slow down global business growth.
Noba says wealthy shoppers will keep buying matcha even with higher prices. America cannot grow this special tea anywhere within its borders. Japanese farmers must harvest tencha leaves during one month each spring. The tea expert believes people will pay more for authentic Japanese quality. Trade officials hope both countries reach a deal before July deadline.
Matcha demand exploded during the pandemic when people wanted healthy drinks. Americans discovered the green powder tastes great and packs vitamins. Production cannot keep up because farmers need expensive machines to make quality matcha. Converting regular tea farms costs hundreds of millions of yen. Many growers hesitate because they cannot tell if matcha stays popular forever.
Trump wants Americans to pay 10 percent extra for most foreign goods. Japan sends officials to Washington trying to avoid these trade penalties. Tea currently enters America without any import fees. The president calls his plan reciprocal tariffs against countries that sell more than they buy. Economic experts worry these taxes will slow down global business growth.
Noba says wealthy shoppers will keep buying matcha even with higher prices. America cannot grow this special tea anywhere within its borders. Japanese farmers must harvest tencha leaves during one month each spring. The tea expert believes people will pay more for authentic Japanese quality. Trade officials hope both countries reach a deal before July deadline.
