IDFA continues to meet with Trump administration officials to discuss trade opportunities for dairy, as well as the need to lift the section 232 tariffs to regain our duty-free access to the Mexican dairy market. When Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer today, he applauded the USTR’s efforts to expand new market agreements abroad and thanked him for his efforts on dairy in the recently concluded U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Amb. Lighthizer (left) and Dykes hold banner signed by IDFA board members.

After the visit, Dykes attended a hearing convened by the U.S. International Trade Commission where he outlined the USMCA’s impact on the dairy industry. In his testimony, Dykes commended the USTR for “negotiating strong transparency provisions that hold Canada accountable for publishing data and notices on a public website in a timely manner. This is critical for monitoring and enforcing the USMCA.”

Dykes also explained that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico are having a negative impact on dairy exports, because Mexico has imposed retaliatory tariffs of 25 percent on American cheeses. He stressed the need to lift the U.S. tariffs so that the dairy industry can regain its duty-free access to the Mexican market. 

For more information, read "U.S. Dairy Welcomes USMCA, but Mexican Tariffs and Canadian Pricing Policies Could Negate Expected Gains" and "IDFA Board Thanks USTR for Dedication to US Dairy in USMCA Talks."