Criticism leveled by President Donald Trump of Canada's dairy policies were downplayed by Canadian International Trade Minister Franois-Philippe Champagne in an interview with Bloomberg BNA on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Paris.He cited the broader benefits of its $627.8 billion trade relationship with Canada. “When you have such a big relationship you will have trade irritants from time to time. The relationship that the United States and Canada enjoys is one that a lot of people look at favorably in the world."A continuation of current trade policy for dairy would be in the best interest of both countries, he argued. “We are going to continue to make the case that it is something that's working well for both sides and we should be looking at it in that lens."U.S. dairy exports to Canada represent less than 0.2% — or $631 million — of the $320.1 billion worth of goods and services that the U.S. annually exports to its northern neighbor. Last week the U.S. leveled fresh criticism over Canada's new milk pricing policies in a WTO exchange that could play a role in the forthcoming North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations.Complaints that Canada's national ingredient strategy harmed U.S. ranchers by incentivizing Canadian dairy producers to manufacture protein substances using Canadian milk were conveyed by U.S. officials during a June 7 meeting of the WTO agriculture committee.Plus, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue labeled the Canadian program "underhanded" after recent talks in Canada.USTR extends deadline on NAFTA renegotiation input
Public comments on the renegotiation of NAFTA are now due at 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday night, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.High interest in the issue was cited by the agency in setting the extension.Those critical of the trade deal indicated they submitted a high number of comments just ahead of the prior Monday deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET. Public Citizen and an associated group, the Citizens Trade Campaign, estimated that more than 50,000 comments had been filed.
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