Wendy Cutler, senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, will deliver a talk titled “What’s Next for U.S.-Japan Trade?” on November 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Nebraska East Union’s Arbor Suite. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins with doors opening at 3:30 p.m., followed by a reception. It will also be livestreamed for remote audiences.
Co-sponsored by the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance and the Asia Society Policy Institute, with support from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion will explore the evolving economic partnership between the United States and Japan. Cutler, who previously served as assistant U.S. trade representative for Japan, South Korea, and APEC affairs, and as chief negotiator for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, now leads Indo-Pacific trade and economic strategy initiatives at her current organization.
She highlighted the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, noting that recent high-level engagements, including President Trump’s visit to Tokyo, have reinforced cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals, and supply chain resilience. Cutler also emphasized the local impact of these international ties, pointing to Japanese investments in Nebraska and the state’s agricultural exports as examples of how global economic linkages stimulate regional development.
Nebraska has maintained a strong trade relationship with Japan, exporting nearly $700 million in goods in 2024. Japan ranks as the state’s fourth-largest export market, the top destination for pork and eggs, and the second-largest buyer of beef and corn. Additionally, Japan is Nebraska’s largest source of foreign direct investment, having contributed over $4.4 billion since 2010. The state established its first overseas office, the Nebraska Center Japan, in 2006 to facilitate business connections.
Recent developments include Japan’s plan to increase ethanol blends by 20% by 2040, aligning with Nebraska’s biofuel production strengths. Governor Jim Pillen recently completed a trade mission in Japan, organized by the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Grains Council, further strengthening these economic ties. Over 120 Nebraska-based companies currently engage in trade with Japan.
Individuals interested in attending can register online or contact Jill O’Donnell at jodonnell2@unl.edu for more information. The Clayton Yeutter Institute, part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, focuses on interdisciplinary research and education in international trade and finance, preparing students for leadership roles in a globalized economy.
— news from University of Nebraska–Lincoln
— News Original —
Cutler to discuss U.S.-Japanese economic ties on Nov. 19
Wendy Cutler, senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, will discuss “What’s Next for U.S.-Japan Trade?” from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Nebraska East Union’s Arbor Suite.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. The event will also be livestreamed.
The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance and the Asia Society Policy Institute are co-sponsoring the event, with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The U.S.–Japan economic relationship remains a cornerstone of our overall bilateral relationship,” Cutler said. “President Trump’s visit to Tokyo this past week reaffirmed this, with both nations advancing cooperation on trade, investment, critical minerals and supply-chain resilience.”
Cutler played a key role in U.S. trade negotiations in Asia, including becoming the assistant U.S. trade representative for Japan, South Korea and APEC Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She also served as the chief U.S. negotiator for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. At the Asia Society Policy Institute, Cutler leads initiatives on trade policy and economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
“It’s especially timely to discuss these issues in Lincoln, where Japanese investment and Nebraska’s agricultural exports highlight how global economic ties drive local growth,” Cutler said.
Gov. Jim Pillen recently concluded a trade mission in Japan during an event organized by the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S. Grains Council, at a time when Japan announced plans to increase ethanol blends by 20% by 2040. There are more than 120 Nebraska companies actively involved in trade with Japan. Nebraska established its first international office in the country, the Nebraska Center Japan, in 2006, which serves as the primary contact point for Japanese companies seeking business opportunities in the state.
In 2024, Nebraska exports to Japan totaled almost $700 million, with the country being Nebraska’s fourth-largest export market, the number one destination for pork and eggs, and the state’s second-leading foreign buyer of beef and corn. Japan is also Nebraska’s largest foreign direct investor, investing more than $4.4 billion since 2010.
To register for the Nov. 19 discussion or find more information, click here or contact Jill O’Donnell at jodonnell2@unl.edu.
The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance is part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It connects academic disciplines related to law, policy, business and agriculture to prepare students for leadership roles in international trade and finance, support interdisciplinary research and increase public understanding of these issues. Named for renowned trade expert Clayton Yeutter — a Husker alumnus and former U.S. trade representative and agriculture secretary — the Yeutter Institute is a community focused on understanding and adapting to a global world.