U.S., Japan Sign Trade Accord

WASHINGTON — Japan and the United States signed a landmark trade agreement today that calls on Japan to open its markets to imports of beef and citrus, nearly doubling projected annual sales for U.S. farmers.

The signing ceremony at the Agriculture Department by Japanese Ambassador Nobuo Matsunaga and U.S. Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter signaled the end of a 10-year-old dispute between the nations. At the same time, the United States dropped its complaints before an international trade body over Japan’s quotas and trade barriers on beef and citrus.