U.S. Dairy Wants Trump to Act on Canada’s Protectionist Dairy Policies

The U.S. Dairy industry says Canada’s dairy policies are protectionist and aimed at blocking U.S. imports. A group of dairy trade organizations, including the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation, wrote President-elect Donald Trump this week saying Canada's policies are a direct violation of the country's commitments under the North American Free Trade Agreement, as reported by DTN. Canada operates its dairy industry under a supply management program that regulates production for domestic producers and maintains high import tariffs to protect the market. Joined by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the U.S. dairy groups urged Trump and his administration to act against Canada as the nation is expanding those dairy controls. The letter estimates the policy is harming U.S. producers by preventing $150 million of milk exports. The letter could help push Trump’s plans for reopening NAFTA for negotiation