Trade disputes over beef import bans in the wake of a confirmed case of mad cow disease in the U.S. are growing between the U.S. and its major beef-importing nations including South Korea, Japan and Mexico.

Following a series of import ban announcements from major beef importing nations, Washington is engaging in concerted diplomatic efforts, while pressing some 30 importing nations to keep their markets open to American beef products.

Accordingly, the Bush administration is holding relevant department officials' meetings to seek multi-faceted diplomatic solutions to the issue, while reinforcing the confirmation process on the origin of the infection case, and working to prove that U.S. beef and related products are safe.